PRINCETON,   N.  J 


Shelf.  


Divhion   i"*^' 

,17,71,-1776 


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e  w      CTc  r  t'C  y     (Colo ) 

MINUTES 


OF  THE 


Provincial  Congress 


AND  THE 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY 


OF  THE 


State  of  New  Jersey. 

PRIITCSTOIT 
TH£OLOGICA 


TRENTON : 

Printed  by  Naar,  Day  &  Naar, 
1879- 


In  compliance  with  "An  Act  for  the  better  preserva- 
tion of  the  early  records  of  the  State  of  New  Jersey,"  ap- 
proved April  G,  1871,  the  Minutes  of  the  Council  of  Safety, 
commencing  with  the  session  at  Haddonfield,  March  18, 
1777,  were  printed  during  the  year  1872.  The  Minutes 
of  the  Provincial  Congress  and  of  the  Council  of  Safety 
of  1775  and  1776  are  as  important  as  those  of  1777.  To 
complete  this  part  of  the  history  of  the  State,  this  volume 
has  been  prepared.  In  addition  to  the  Minutes  referred 
to,  the  Proceedings  of  the  Committees  of  Correspondence, 
the  Committees  of  Observation,  the  various  Town  Meet- 
ings, Township  and  County  Committees,  relating  to  the 
state  of  the  Colonies,  have  been  collated.  A  meeting  of 
the  Council  and  General  Assembly  of  the  Colony,  just 
prior  to  the  first  meeting  of  the  Provincial  Congress,  has 
also  been  added. 

Trenton,  February  22,  1879. 


Resolutions,  Correspondence,  &c., 

Preliminary  to  the  Provincial  Congress  and 
Council  of  Safety. 


Extract  from  Minutes  of  House  of  Assembly. 

Burlington,  Tuesday,  February  8,  1774. 

The  House  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  several 
Letters  and  Resolutions  of  the  other  Houses  of  Assembly, 
on  the  subject  matter  of  the  common  Rights  and  Liberties 
of  the  Colonies ;  and  the  House  resolved  itself  into  a 
Committee  of  the  whole  House,  upon  the  Matters  afore- 
said ;  and  after  some  time  spent  therein,  Mr.  Speaker 
resumed  the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Crane,  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee, (by  order  of  the  House)  reported  the  Resolutions 
of  the  Committee  as  follows,  viz. : 

1.  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Committee, 
that  the  House  should  heartily  accept  of  the  Invitation 
to  a  mutual  Correspondence  and  Intercourse  with  our 
Sister  Colonies  ;  to  which  the  House  agreed,  Nemirie  Con- 
tradicente. 

2.  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Committee, 
that  a  Standing  Committee  of  Correspondence  and  In- 
quiry be  appointed,  to  consist  of  the  following  Persons, 
to  wit,  .lames  Kinsey,  Stephen  Crane,  Hendrick  Fisher, 
Samuel  Tucker,  John  Wetherill,  Robert  Friend  Price, 
John  Hinchman,  John  Mehelm  and  Edward  Taylor, 
Esquires,  or  any  five  of  them,  whose  business  it  shall  be 
to  obtain  the  most  early  and  authentick  Intelligence  of 
all  Acts  and  Resolutions  of  the  Parliament  of  Great  Brit- 
ain, or  the  Proceedings  of  Administration  that  may 

have 

2 


2 


have  any  Relation  to,  or  may  affect  the  Liberties  and 
Privileges  of  His  Majesty's  Subjects  in  the  British  Colonies 
in  America,  and  to  keep  up  and  maintain  a  Correspond- 
ence and  Communication  with  our  Sister  Colonies,  re- 
specting these  important  Considerations;  and  that  they 
do  occasionally  lay  their  Proceedings  before  the  House; 
to  which  the  House  agreed,  Nemine  Contradicemte. 

3.  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Committee, 
that  the  said  Committee  of  Correspondence  do  write 
Letters  to  the  several  Speakers  of  the  Assemblies  on  the 
Continent  of  America,  inclosing  these  Resolutions,  and 
requesting  them  to  lay  the  same  before  their  respective 
Assemblies;  and  that  they  do  return  the  Thanks  of  the 
House  to  the  Burgesses  of  Virginia,  for  their  early  At- 
tention to  the  Liberties  of  America ;  to  which  the  House 
agreed,  Nemine  Contradicente. 


Governour  Franklin  to  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth, 

(Extract.) 

Burlington,  31st  May,  1774. 

Since  my  last  I  have  received  two  circular  despatches 
from  Mr.  Pownall,  dated  March  10th  and  April  6th,  en- 
closing copies  of  his  Majesty's  Message  to  both  Houses  of 
Parliament,  relative  to  the  late  disturbances  in  America, 
their  Resolutions  thereupon,  and  the  Act  of  Parliament 
respecting  the  port  of  Boston.  The  latter  has  been  pub- 
lished in  the  usual  manner,  though  the  people  in  this 

Colony 


3 


Colony  are  not  concerned  in  carrying  on  any  commerce 
with  the  Province  of  Massachusetts  13ay. 

It  is  ditticult  as  yet  to  foresee  what  will  be  the  conse- 
quence of  the  Boston  Port  Act.  It  seems  as  if  the  mer- 
chants of  Philadelphia  and  New  York,  at  their  late 
meetings,  were  inclined  to  assist  or  co  operate  witli  those 
of  Boston  in  some  degree,  but  not  to  carry  matters  so  far 
as  to  enter  into  a  general  non-importation  and  exportation 
agreement,  as  was  proposed  to  them  by  the  town  of  Bos- 
ton. However,  I  believe  it  may  be  depended  upon,  that 
many  of  the  merchants,  on  a  supposition  that  a  non- 
importation agreement  (so  far  as  respects  from  Great 
Brittain)  will  be  certainly  entered  into  by  next  autumn, 
have  ordered  a  much  greater  quantity  of  goods  than 
common  to  be  sent  out  by  the  next  fall  ships  from 
England. 

A  Congress  of  Members  of  the  several  Houses  of 
Assembly  has  been  proposed  in  order  to  agree  upon 
some  measures  on  the  present  occasion,  but  whether  this 
expedient  will  take  place  it  is  as  yet  uncertain.  The 
Virginia  Assembly,  some  time  ago,  appointed  a  Commit- 
tee of  Correspondence  to  correspond  with  all  the  other 
Assemblies  on  the  Continent,  which  example  nas  been 
followed  by  every  other  House  of  Representatives.  I 
was  in  hopes  that  the  Assembly  of  this  Province  would 
not  have  gone  into  the  measure;  for  though  they  met  on 
the  10th  of  November,  yet  they  avoided  taking  the  mat- 
ter into  consideration,  though  frequently  urged  by  some 
of  the  members,  until  the  8th  of  February,  and  then  I 
believe  they  would  not  have  gone  into  it,  but  that  the 
Assembly  of  New  York  had  just  before  resolved  to  ap- 
point such  a  committeee,  and  they  did  not  choose  to 
appear  singular. 

Extract 


4 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  one  of  the  Members  of  the 
House  of  Assembly  of  New  Jersey,  and  one  of 
the  Committee  of  Correspondence,  which  consists 
of  nine  members. 

Dated  June  2,  1774. 
"  I  returned  yesterda}'  from  New  Brunswick,  where  six 
of  our  Committee  met.  We  answered  the  Boston  letters, 
informing  them  that  we  look  on  New  Jersey  as  eventually 
in  the  same  predicament  with  Boston,  and  that  we  will 
do  everything  which  may  be  generally  agreed  on.  We 
have  signed  a  request  to  the  Governor  to  call  the  General 
Assembly,  to  meet  at  such  time  as  his  Excellency  may 
think  proper,  before  the  first  of  August  next.  Our  Com- 
mittee is  well  disposed  in  the  cause  of  American  freedom." 


Lower  Freehold,  Monmouth  County,  Resolutions, 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  Inhabitants  of 
the  Township  of  Lower  Freehold,  in  the  County  of  Mon- 
mouth, in  New  Jersey,  on  Monday,  the  6th  day  of  June, 
1774,  after  notice  given  of  the  time,  place,  and  occasion 
of  this  meeting ;  I 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  unanimous  opinion  of  this 
meeting,  that  the  cause  in  which  the  inhabitants  of  the 

town 


5 


town  of  Boston  are  now  suffering  is  tlie  common  cause 
of  the  whole  continent  of  North  America,  and  that  unless 
some  general  spirited  measures,  for  the  public  safety,  be 
speedily  entered  into,  there  is  just  reason  to  fear  that 
every  Province  may  in  turn  share  the  same  fate  with 
them  ;  and  that,  therefore,  it  is  highly  incumbent  on 
them  all  to  unite  in  some  effectual  means  to  obtain  a  re- 
peal of  the  Boston  Port  Bill,  and  any  other  tluit  may 
follow  it,  which  shall  be  deemed  subversive  of  the  rights 
and  privileges  of  free  born  Americans. 

And  that  it  is  also  the  opinion  of  this  meeting,  that,  in 
case  it  shall  appear  hereafter  to  be  consistent  with  the 
general  opinion  of  the  trading  towns,  and  the  commercial 
part  of  our  countrymen,  that  an  entire  stoppage  of  im- 
portation and  exportation  from  and  to  Great  Britain 
and  the  West  Indies,  until  the  said  Port  Bill  and  other 
Acts  be  repealed,  will  be  really  conducive  to  the  safety 
and  preservation  of  North  America  and  her  liberties, 
they  will  yield  a  cheerful  acquiescence  in  the  measure, 
and  earnestly  recommend  the  same  to  all  their  brethren 
in  this  Province. 

Resolved,  moreover,  That  the  inhabitants  of  this  town- 
ship will  join  in  an  Association  with  the  several  towns 
in  the  count}',  and  in  conjunction  with  them,  with  the 
several  counties  in  the  Province,  (if,  as  we  doubt  not, 
they  see  fit  to  accede  to  the  proposal,)  in  any  measures 
that  may  appear  best  adapted  to  the  weal  and  safety  of 
North  America  and  all  her  loyal  sons. 

Ordered,  That  John  Anderson,  Esq.,  Messrs.  Peter  For- 
man,  Hendrick  Smock,  John  Formau,  and  Asher  Holmes, 
Captain  John  Covenhoven  and  Doctor  Nathaniel  Scud- 
der,  be  a  committee  for  the  township,  to  join  with  those 
who  may  be  elected  for  the  neighbouring  townships  or 
counties,  to  constitute  a  General  Committee,  for  any  pur- 
poses similar  to  those  above  mentioned ;  and  that  the 
gentlemen  so  appointed  do  immediately  solicit  a  corres- 
pondence with  the  adjacent  towns. 

Essex 


6 


Call  for  Essex  County  Meeting, 

Essex  County,  N.  J.,  7th  June,  1774. 

All  the  Inhabitants  of  the  County  of  Essi^x,  in  New- 
Jersey,  friends  to  the  Constitution,  the  liberties  and 
properties  of  America,  are  hereby  notified  and  desired  to 
meet  at  the  Court  House,  in  Newark,  on  Saturday,  the 
11  til  of  June,  instant,  at  two  of  the  clock  in  the  after- 
noon, to  consult  and  deliberate,  and  firmly  resolve  upon 
the  most  prudent  and  salutary  measures  to  secure  and 
maintain  the  constitutional  rights  of  his  Majesty's  sub- 
jects in  America.  It  is,  therefore,  hoped,  that  from  the 
importance  of  the  subject,  the  meeting  will  be  general. 

Signed,  by  order,  at  a  meeting  of  a  number  of  the 
Freeholders  of  the  County  of  Essex,  the  7th  day  of  June, 
1774. 

John  De  Hart, 
Isaac  Ogden. 


Essex  County  Resolutions. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  Inhabitants  of 
the  County  of  Essex,  in  the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  at 
Newark,  in  the  said  County,  on  Saturday,  the  11th  day 
of  June,  1774. 

This  meeting,  taking  into  serious  consideration  some 
late  alarming  measures  adopted  by  the  British  Parliament 
for  depriving  his  Majesty's  American  subjects  of  their 

undoubted 


7 


undoubted  and  constitutional  rif^hts  and  principles,  and 
particularly  the  Act  for  blockading  the  port  of  Boston, 
which  appears  to  them  pregnant  with  the  most  dangerous 
consequences  to  all  his  Majesty's  Dominions  in  America, 
do  Unanimously  resolve  and  agree: 

1.  That  under  the  enjoyment  of  our  constitutional 
privileges  and  immunities  we  will  ever  cheerfully  ri-nder 
all  due  obedience  to  the  Crown  of  Great  Brittain,  as  well 
as  full  faith  and  allegiance  to  his  most  gracious  Majesty 
King  George  the  Third ;  and  do  esteem  a  firm  depend- 
ence on  the  Mother  Country  essential  to  our  political 
securit}'^  and  happiness. 

2.  That  the  late  Act  of  Parliament  relative  to  B  )ston, 
which  so  absolutely  destroys  every  idea  of  safety  and 
confidence,  appears  to  us  big  with  the  most  dangerous 
and  alarming  consequences,  especially  as  subversive  of 
that  very  dependence  which  we  should  earnestly  wish  to 
continue,  as  our  best  safeguard  and  protection  ;  And  that 
we  conceive  every  well-wisher  to  Great  Brittain  and  her 
Colonies  is  now  loudly  called  upon  to  exert  his  utmost 
abilities  in  promoting  every  legal  and  prudential  measure 
towards  obtaining  a  repeal  of  the  said  Act  of  Parliament, 
and  all  others  subversive  of  the  undoubted  rights  and 
liberties  of  his  Majesty's  American  subjects. 

3.  That  it  is  our  unanimous  opinion,  that  it  would 
conduce  to  the  restoration  of  the  liberties  of  America 
should  the  Colonies  enter  into  a  joint  agreement  not  to 
purchase  or  use  any  articles  of  British  Manufacture,  and 
especially  any  commodities  imported  from  the  East 
Indies,  under  such  restrictions  as  may  be  agreed  upon  by 
a  general  Congress  of  the  said  Colonies  hereafter  to  be 
appointed. 

4.  That  this  county  will  most  readily  and  cheerfully 
join  their  brethren  of  the  other  counties  in  this  Province, 
in  promoting  such  Congress  of  Deputies,  to  be  sent  from 
each  of  the  Colonies,  in  order  to  form  a  general  plan  of 
union,  so  that  the  measures  to  be  pursued  for  the  im- 
portant ends  in  view  may  be  uniform  and  firm  ;  to  which 
plan,  when  concluded  upon,  we  do  agree  faithfully  to 
adhere,  and  do  now  declare  ourselves  ready  to  send  a 
Committee  to  meet  with  those  from  the  other  counties,  at 

such 


8 


sucli  time  and  place,  as  by  them  may  be  agreed  upon,  in 
order  to  elect  proper  persons  to  represent  this  Province 
in  the  said  general  Congress. 

5.  That  the  freeholders  and  inhabitants  of  the  other 
counties  in  this  Province  be  requested  speedily  to  con- 
vene themselves  together,  to  consider  the  present  distress- 
ing state  of  our  public  affairs;  and  to  correspond  and 
consult  with  such  other  Committees  as  may  be  ap{)ointed 
as  well  as  with  our  Committee,  who  are  hereby  directed 
to  corresj)ond  and  consult  with  such  other  Committees, 
as  also  with  those  of  any  other  Province ;  and  particu- 
larly to  meet  with  the  said  County  Committees,  in  order 
to  nominate  and  appoint  Deputies  to  represent  this 
Province  in  General  Congress. 

6.  We  do  hereby  unanitnously  request  the  following 
gentlemen  to  accept  of  tliat  trust,  and  accordingly  do  ap- 
point them  our  Committee  for  the  purposes  aforesaid,  viz. ; 
Stephen  Crane,  Henry  Garritse,  Joseph  Riggs,  William 
Livingston,  William  P.  Smith,  John  De  Hart,  John  Chet- 
wood,  Isaac  Ogden  and  Elias  Boudinot,  esquires. 


Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Governour  Franklin  to  the 
Earl  of  Dartmouth. 

Burlington,  June  18,  1774. 

My  Lord: — I  have  just  received  a  copy  of  some  re- 
solves entered  into  at  a  meeting  of  a  number  of  free- 
holders and  inhabitants  of  the  county  of  Essex,  in  this 

Province, 


9 


Province,  on  Saturday  last,  which  I  tliink  it  my  duty  to 
transmit  to  your  Lordship.  The  meeting  was  occasioned 
it  seems  by  an  advertisement,  requesting  the  attendance 
of  the  inhabitants  on  tliat  day,  and  published  in  one  of 
the  New  York  papers,  and  signed  by  two  gentlemen  of 
the  law,  who  reside  in  that  county.  I  have  likewise  had 
an  application  made  to  me  by  some  of  the  members  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,  to  call  a  meeting  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  in  August  next,  with  which  I  have  not, 
nor  shall  not  comply,  as  there  is  no  public  business  of 
the  Province  which  can  make  such  a  meeting  necessary. 
It  seems  now  determined  by  several  of  the  leading  men, 
in  most,  if  not  all  the  counties  in  this  Province,  to  en- 
deavor to  follow  the  example  of  the  freeholders  in  Essex, 
Meetings  of  this  nature,  there  are  no  me  ns  of  prevent- 
ing, where  the  chief  part  of  the  inhabitants  incline  to 
attend  them.  I  as  yet  doubt  however,  whether  they  will 
agree  to  the  general  non-importation  from  Great  Britain, 
which  has  been  recommended.  Their  principal  aim  seems 
to  be  to  bring  about  a  Congress  of  Deputies  from  all  the 
Colonies,  as  proposed  by  Virginia;  and  that  that  Con- 
gress should  not  only  apply  to  his  Majesty  for  the  repeal 
of  the  Boston  Port  Act,  but  endeavour  to  fall  upon  mea- 
sures for  accommodating  the  present  differences  between 
the  two  countries  and  preventing  the  like  in  future. 


Bergen  County  Resolutions. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  Inhabitants  of 
the  County  of  Bergen,  in  the  Province  of  New  Jersey, 

convened 


10 

Convened  agreeable  to  advertisement,  at  the  Court  House 
of  said  Count}',  on  Saturday,  the  25th  of  June,  1774. 

Peter  Zabriskie,  Esquire,  Chairman. 

This  meeting  being  deeply  affected  with  the  calamitous 
condition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Boston,  in  the  Province 
of  Massachusetts  Bay,  in  consequence  of  the  late  Act  of 
Parliament  for  blocking  up  the  port  of  Boston  ;  and  con- 
sidering the  alarming  tendency  of  the  Act  of  the  British 
Parliament  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a  revenue  la 
America — 

Do  Resolve.  1st,  That  they  think  it  their  greatest  hap- 
piness to  live  under  the  Government  of  the  illustrious 
House  of  Hanover,  and  that  they  will  stedfastly  and  uni- 
formly bear  true  and  faithful  allegiance  to  his  Majesty 
King  George  the  Third,  under  the  enjoyment  of  their 
constitutional  rights  and  privileges. 

2d.  Tiiat  we  conceive  it  to  be  our  indubitable  privi- 
lege to  be  taxed  only  by  our  own  consent,  given  by  our- 
selves, or  by  our  Representatives ;  and  that  we  consider 
the  late  Acts  of  Parliament,  declarative  of  their  right  to 
impose  internal  taxes  on  the  subjects  of  America,  as 
manifest  encroachments  on  our  national  rights  and  privi- 
leges as  British  subjects,  and  as  inconsistent  with  the 
idea  of  an  American  Assembly  or  House  of  Representa- 
tives. 

3d.  That  we  will  heartily  unite  with  this  Colony  in 
choosing  Delegates  to  attend  at  a  general  Congress  from 
the  several  Provinces  of  America,  in  order  to  consult 
on  and  determine  some  effectual  method  to  be  pursued 
for  obtaining  a  repeal  of  the  said  Acts  of  Parliament, 
which  appears  to  us  evidently  calculated  to  destroy  that 
mutual  harmony  and  dependence  between  Great  Britain 
and  her  Colonies,  which  are  the  basis  and  support  of 
both. 

And  we  do  appoint  Theunis  Dey,  John  Demarest, 
Peter  Zabriskie,  Cornelius  Van  Voarst  and  John  Zabris- 
kie, junior.  Esquires,  to  be  a  Committee  for  correspond- 
ing with  the  Committees  of  the  other  counties  in  this 
Province,  and  particularly  to  meet  with  the  other  County 
Committees  at  New  Brunswick,  or  such  other  place  as 
shall  be  agreed  on,  in  order  to  elect  Delegates  to  attend 
the  general  Congress  of  Delegates  of  the  American  Colo- 
nies for  the  purposes  aforesaid.  Morris 


11 


Morris  County  Resolutions. 

At  a  meeting  of  a  respectable  body  of  the  Freeholders 
and  inhabitants  of  the  County  of  Morris,  in  the  Province 
of  East  New  Jersey,  at  the  Court  House  in  Morristown, 
in  the  said  County,  on  Monday,  the  27th  June,  1774. 

Jacob  Ford,  Esquire,  Chairman. 

1st.  Resolved,  Tliat  George  the  Third  is  lawful  and 
rightful  King  of  Great  Britain  and  all  other  his  Do- 
minions and  countries,  and  that  as  part  of  his  Dominions 
it  is  our  duty  not  only  to  render  unto  him  true  faith  and 
obedience,  but  also  with  our  lives  and  fortunes  to  support 
and  maintain  the  just  dependence  of  these  his  Colonies 
upon  the  Crown  of  Great  Britain. 

2d.  That  it  is  our  wish  and  desire,  and  we  esteem  it 
our  greatest  happiness  and  security  to  be  governed  by 
the  laws  of  Great  Britain,  and  that  we  will  always  cheer- 
fully submit  to  them  as  far  as  can  be  done,  consistently 
with  the  constitutional  liberties  and  privileges  of  free 
born  Englishmen. 

3d.  That  the  late  Acts  of  Parliament  for  imposing 
taxes  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a  revenue  in  America, 
are  oppressive  and  Arbitrary,  calculated  to  disturb  the 
minds  and  alienate  the  affections  of  the  Colonists  from 
the  mother  country,  are  replete  with  ruin  to  both,  and 
consequently  that  the  authors  and  promoters  of  said 
Acts,  or  of  such  doctrines  of  the  right  of  taxing  America 
being  in  the  Parliament  of  Great  Britain,  are,  and 
should  be  deemed  enemies  to  our  King  and  happy 
Constitution. 

-4th.  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  meeting,  that  the 
Act  of  Parliament  for  shutting  up  the  Port  of  Boston,  is 
unconstitutional,  injurious  in  its  principles  to  the  general 
cause  of  American  freedom,  particularly  oppressive  to 
the  inhabitants  of  that  town,  and  that,  therefore,  the 
people  of  Boston  are  considered  by  us  as  suffering  in  the 
general  cause  of  America. 

5th.  That  unanimity  and  firmness  in  the  Colonies  are 

the 


12 


the  most  effectual  means  to  relieve  our  suffer! nf?  brethren 
at  Boston,  to  avert  the  dangers  justly  to  be  up|)rehended 
from  that  alarming  Act,  commonly  styled  the  Boston 
Port  Bill,  and  to  secure  the  invaded  rights  and  privileges 
of  America. 

6th.  That  it  is  our  opinion,  that  an  agreement  between 
the  Colonies  not  to  purchase  or  use  any  articles  imported 
from  Great  Britain  or  from  the  East  Indies,  under  such 
restrictions  as  may  be  agreed  upon  by  tlie  general  Con- 
gress hereafter  to  be  appointed  by  the  Colonies,  would  be 
of  service  in  procuring  a  repeal  of  those  Acts. 

7th.  That  we  will  most  cheerfully  join  our  brethren  of 
the  other  counties  in  this  Province  in  promoting  an  union 
of  the  Colonies,  by  forming  a  general  Congress  of  Depu- 
ties to  be  sent  from  each  of  the  Colonies,  and  do  now 
declare  ourselves  ready  to  send  a  C.')mmittee  to  meet  with 
those  from  the  other  counties  at  such  time  and  place  as 
by  them  may  be  agreed  upon,  in  order  to  elect  proper 
persons  to  represent  this  Province  in  the  said  Congress. 

8th.  That  it  is  the  request  of  this  meeting  that  the 
County  Committees,  when  met  for  the  purposes  aforesaid, 
do  take  into  their  serious  consideration  the  propriety  of 
setting  on  foot  a  subscription  for  the  benefit  of  the  suf- 
ferers at  Boston,  under  the  Boston  Port  Bill,  above  men- 
tioned, and  the  money  arising  from  such  subscription  to 
be  laid  out  as  the  Committees  so  met  shall  ihink  will  best 
answer  the  ends  proposed. 

9th.  That  we  will  faithfully  adhere  to  such  regulations 
and  restrictions  as  shall  by  the  members  of  said  Con- 
gress be  agreed  upon,  and  judged  most  expedient  for 
avoiding  the  calamities,  and  procuring  the  benefits  in- 
tended in  the  foregoing  resolves. 

10.  It  is  our  request  that  the  Committee  hereafter 
named,  do  correspond  and  consult  with  such  other  Com- 
mittees as  shall  be  appointed  by  the  other  counties  in 
this  Province,  and  particularly  that  they  meet  with  the 
said  County  Committee,  in  order  to  elect  and  appoint 
Deputies  to  represent  this  Province  in  a  general  Congi*ess. 

11th.  We  do  hereby  desire  the  following  gentlemen  to 
accept  of  that  important  trust,  and  accordingly  do  appoint 
them  our  Committee  for  the  purposes  aforesaid :  Jacob 

Ford, 


13 

Ford,  William  Windes,  Abraham  Ogden,  William  De 
Hart  Samuel  Tutliill,  Jonathan  Stiles,  John  Carle,  Philip 
V.  Cortland  and  Samuel  Ogden,  esquires. 


Hunterdon  County  Resolutions. 

The  Freeholders  and  Inhabitants  of  Hunterdon  County, 
in  the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  convened  by  advertise- 
ment, at  the  house  of  John  Ringo,  in  Amwell  in  said 
County,  on  Friday,  the  8th  July,  1774,  Samuel  Tucker, 
Esq.,  in  the  chair,  came  into  the  following  Resolutions, 
without  a  dissenting  voice,  viz.: 

1.  We  do  most  expressly  declare,  recognize  and  ac- 
knowledge his  Majesty  King  George  the  Third  to  be  the 
lawful  and  rightful  King  of  Great  Britain,  and  of  all 
other  his  Dominions,  and  that  it  is  the  indispensable  duty 
of  this  Colony,  under  the  enjoyment  of  our  constitutional 
privileges  and  immunities,  as  being  a  part  of  his  Majesty's 
Dominions,  always  to  bear  faithful  and  true  allegiance 
to  his  Majesty,  and  him  to  defend  to  the  utmost  of  our 
power,  against  all  attempts  upon  his  person,  crown,  and 
dignity. 

2.  That  it  is  the  undoubted  hereditary  right  of  an 
English  subject  to  give  and  grant  what  is  absolutely  his 
own,  either  by  himself  or  his  Representatives ;  and  that 
the  only  lawful  Representatives  of  the  freemen  of  this 
Colony  are  the  persons  they  elect  to  serve  as  members  of 
the  General  Assembly  thereof. 

3.  That  any  Act  of  Parliament  for  the  apprehending 
and  carrying  persons  into  another  Colony,  or  to  Great 

Britain, 


14 


Britain,  to  be  tried  for  any  crime,  alleo;ed  to  be  com- 
mitted within  this  Colony,  or  subjecting  tliem  to  be  tried 
by  Commissioners  or  any  Court  constituted  by  Act  of 
Parliament  or  otherwise,  within  this  Colony,  in  a  sum- 
mary way,  without  a  jury  of  this  vicinage,  is  unconsti- 
tional  and  subversive  of  the  rights  and  liberties  of  the 
free  subjects  of  this  Colony. 

4.  That  it  is  our  indispensable  duty,  which  we  owe  to 
our  King,  our  country,  ourselves  and  our  posterity,  by 
all  lawful  ways  and  means  in  our  power,  to  maintain, 
defend  and  preserve  our  loyalty,  rights  and  liberties,  and 
to  transmit  them  inviolate  to  the  latest  generations;  and 
that  it  is  our  fixed,  determined  and  unalterable  resolu- 
tion faithfully  to  discharge  this  our  bounden  duty. 

5.  That  it  is  our  unanimous  opinion,  that  it  would 
conduce  to  the  restoration  of  the  liberties  of  America 
should  the  Colonies  enter  into  a  joint  agreement  not  to 
purchase  or  use  any  articles  of  British  manufacture,  nor 
any  commodities  imported  from  the  East  Indies,  under 
such  restrictions  as  may  be  agreed  on  by  a  general  Con- 
gress of  Delegates  from  all  the  Colonies,  hereafter  to  be 
appointed. 

6.  That  as  the  town  of  Boston  is  now  suffering  in  the 
common  cause  of  American  freedom,  it  is  the  opinion  of 
this  meeting,  that  subscriptions  be  hereafter  opened  in 
every  town  in  this  county,  and  the  money  subscribed  to 
be  applied  towards  the  relief  of  the  suffering  poor  in  said 
town  of  Boston,  until  they  may  be  relieved  by  being  re- 
stored to  their  just  rights  and  privileges. 

7.  That  this  county  will  appoint  a  Committee  to  meet 
the  Committees  of  the  several  counties  of  this  Colony,  at 
such  time  and  place  as  may  be  agreed  on,  in  order  to 
elect  and  appoint  Delegates  to  represent  this  Colony  at 
the  general  Congress,  whose  resolutions  and  determina- 
tions we  will  most  strictly  adhere  to,  and  abide  by.  And 
we  do  hereby  unanimously  request  the  following  gentle- 
men to  accept  of  that  trust,  and  do  accordingly  appoint 
them  our  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  viz.: 
Samuel  Tucker,  John  Melielm,  John  Hart,  Isaac  Smith, 
Charles  Coxe,  Joachim  Griggs,  Benjamin  Brearly,  Abra- 
ham Hunt  and  John  Emley. 


15 


As  wc  apprehend  New  Brunswick  is  not  so  convenient 
to  the  members  of  the  lower  counties,  and  that  all  the 
counties  will  hardly  have  sufficient  time  to  appoint  their 
Committees,  by  the  21st  of  July,  with  submission,  we 
would  propose  Princeton,  as  most  central,  to  be  the  place, 
and  Thursday,  the  11th  of  August,  the  time  of  meeting 
of  the  several  Committees. 

Thomas  Siielton, 
Committee  Clerk. 


Middlesex  County  Resolutions. 

According  to  notice,  which  had  been  given  to  the  Free- 
holders and  Inhabitants  of  the  County  of  Middlesex,  New 
Jersey,  a  great  number  from  every  quarter  of  the  county 
met  at  the  Court  House  in  New  Brunswick,  on  Friday, 
the  15th  day  of  July,  1774,  at  2  o'clock,  and  chose  John 
Moores,  Esq.,  to  the  Chair;  but  as  the  Court  House  could 
not  contain  half  the  number,  the  meeting  adjourned  to 
the  Presbyterian  Meeting  House,  where,  after  some  de- 
liberation upon  the  dangerous  situation  of  the  publick 
affairs  in  America,  the  meeting  unanimously  Resolved 
as  follows,  viz. : 

Resolve  1st,  That  the  members  of  this  meeting,  their 
fellow-subjects  in  this  Province,  and  they  are  persuaded 
the  inhabitants  of  America  in  general,  are  firm  and  un- 
shaken in  their  allegiance  to  his  Majesty  King  George 
the  Third.  That  they  have  ever  demonstrated  their 
readiness  to  support  his  Majesty's  Government  over  them. 


16 


and  also  to  grant  aids  to  his  Majesty,  on  any  emergency, 
by  ttieir  own  Representatives,  to  the  utmost  of  their 
power. 

2d.  That  all  other  modes  of  taxation  in  the  Colonies, 
by  a  British  Parliament,  under  whatever  name  or  form 
attempted  to  be  introduced,  is  not  only  arbitrary  and 
oppressive,  but  has  a  direct  tendency  to  alienate  the 
affections  of  the  Colonies  from  the  parent  country,  to 
widen  the  breach  already  made  by  Ministerial  influence, 
which  it  is  earnestly  wished  may  speedily  be  healed,  and 
a  permanent  union  re-established,  on  a  solid  constitu- 
tional foundation. 

3d.  That  the  unexampled  distresses  brought  on  the 
Colony  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  particularly  that  of  block- 
ing up  the  Port  of  Boston,  -and  depriving  them  of  all 
trade  and  commerce,  in  virtue  of  an  Act  or  Acts  of  Par- 
liament, is  a  cruel  oppression,  in  which  all  the  Colonies 
are  intimately  concerned,  tending  by  a  numerous  train 
of  consequences,  to  fasten  on  them  the  chains  of  vassal- 
age and  slavery,  or  lay  prostrate  at  the  feet  of  an  unjustly 
incensed  Ministry  the  inhabitants  of  this  wide  extended 
country,  who  would  triumph  over  their  liberties,  sport 
with  their  lives,  and  claim  their  properties  at  will. 

4th.  We  concur  in  the  general  opinion  of  our  brethren, 
that  the  Congress  of  Deputies  from  the  several  Colonies, 
should  present  a  dutiful  Address  to  his  Majesty,  praying 
for  a  general  redress  of  the  grievances  complained  of. 

5th.  We  are  of  opinion  (which  we  submit  to  be  consid- 
ered in  the  general  Congress),  that  a  general  stop  of  all 
imports  and  exports  of  merchandises,  especially  to  Great 
Britain,  by  all  the  Colonies,  is  the  only  probable,  if  not 
the  only  possible  measure,  to  preserve  the  liberties  of  this 
country,  at  present  in  such  imminent  danger  of  being 
annihilated. 

Gth.  That  an  immediate  subscription  be  set  on  foot, 
throughout  this  country,  towards  the  relief  of  the  suffer- 
ing families  in  the  town  of  Boston.  For  which  purpose 
sundry  gentlemen  in  the  different  townships  and  pre- 
cints  of  the  county,  are  named  and  appointed  to  take  in 
the  same,  and  to  make  return  of  such  subscriptions  and 
collections  to  James  Wilson,  Esq.,  by  the  1st  day  of  Sep- 
tember 


17 


teinbcr  next,  in  order  that  such  collections  may  be  sent 
to  Boston  as  early  as  possible. 

7th.  We  agree  with  our  brethren  of  all  the  counties  in 
this  Province,  in  the  method  of  choosing  Committees  of 
Correspondence,  and  also  that  such  Committees  from  the 
several  counties  do  meet,  at  a  place  convenient,  by  them 
to  be  agreed  on,  and  when  so  met  to  elect  proper  persons 
to  represent  this  Colony  in  the  proposed  Congress,  for 
which  purpose  the  following  gentlemen,  viz.:  John 
Moores,  .John  Wetherill,  John  Johnson,  Michael  Field, 
William  Pecke,  James  Wilson,  John  Combs,  Jun.,  Jona- 
than Balding,  William  Smith,  John  Dennis,  and  Rune 
Runyon,  Esqs.,  are  requested  to  be,  and  are  hereby 
appointed  a  Standing  Committee  of  Correspondence,  and 
that  any  five  of  them  are  a  sulficient  number  to  act. 
Signed  by  order  of  the  meeting. 

John  Moores, 
Chairman. 

Immediately  after  the  meeting  the  members  of  the 
County  Committee  present  met,  and  agreed  to  meet  the 
Committees  from  the  other  counties,  at  New  Brunswick, 
on  Thursday,  the  21st  of  July,  instant. 


Sussex  County  Resolutions. 

At  a  meeting  of  a  number  of  Freeholders  and  Inhab- 
itants of  the  County  of  Sussex,  in  the  Province  of  New 

Jersev, 

3 


18 


Jersey,  at  tlie  Court  House  in  Newtown,  in  the  said 
county,  on  Saturday,  the  16th  of  July,  A.  D.  1774. 

Hugh  Hughes,  esquire.  Chairman. 

1st.  Resolved,  That  it  is  our  duty  to  render  true  and 
faithful  allegiance  to  George  the  Third.  King  of  Great 
Britain,  and  to  support  and  maintain  the  just  depend- 
ence of  his  Colonies  upon  the  Crown  of  Great  Britain, 
under  the  enjoyment  of  our  constitutional  rights  and 
privileges. 

2d.  Resolved,  That  it  is  undoubtedly  our  right  to  be 
taxed  only  by  our  own  consent,  given  b}'  ourselves  or 
our  Representatives;  and  that  the  late  Acts  of  Parlia- 
ment for  imposing  taxes  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a 
revenue  in  America,  and  the  Act  of  Parliament  for  shut- 
ting up  the  port  of  Boston,  are  oppressive,  unconstitu- 
tional, and  injurious  in  their  principles  to  American 
freedom,  and  that  the  Bostonians  are  considered  by  us 
as  suffering  in  the  general  cause  of  America. 

3d.  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  meeting, 
that  firmness  and  unanimity  in  the  Colonies,  and  an 
agreement  not  to  use  any  articles  imported  from  Great 
Britain  or  the  East  Indies  (under  such  restrictions  as 
may  be  agreed  upon  by  the  geijeral  Congrees  hereafter  to 
be  appointed  by  the  Colonies)  may  be  tlie  most  effectual 
means  of  averting  the  dangers  that  are  justly  appre- 
hended, and  securing  the  invaded  rights  and  privileges 
of  America. 

4th.  Resolved,  That  we  will  join,  with  the  greatest  cheer- 
fulness, the  other  counties  of  this  Province,  in  sending 
a  Committee  to  meet  with  those  from  the  other  counties, 
at  such  time  and  place  as  they  shall  appoint,  in  order  to 
choose  proper  persons  to  represent  this  Province  in  a 
general  Congress  of  Deputies  sent  from  each  of  the 
Colonies. 

5th.  Resolved,  That  we  will  faithfully  and  strictly  ad- 
here to  such  regulations  and  restrictions  as  shall  be 
agreed  upon  by  the  Members  of  said  Congress,  and  that 
sliall  by  them  be  judged  expedient  and  beneficial  to  the 
good  of  the  Colonies. 

Gth.  Resolved,  That  the  Committee  hereafter  named  do 
correspond  and  consult  with  the  Committees  of  the  other 

counties 


19 


counties  in  tins  Province  and  meet  with  them  in  order 
to  appoint  De{)uties  to  represent  this  Province  in  general 
Congress. 

7th.  Refiolved,  We  do  appoint  the  following  gentlemen 
our  Committee  for  the  pur[)Ose  above  mentioned:  Hugh 
Hughes,  Nathaniel  Pettit,  Thomas  Van  Horne,  Thomas 
Anderson,  Archibald  Stewart,  Abia  Brown,  John  B.  Scott, 
Esquires,  Messrs.  E.  Dunlap,  Mark  Thompson,  W. 
Maxwell. 


Monmouth  County  Resolutions. 

On  Tuesday,  July  19,  1774,  a  majority  of  the  Commit- 
tees from  the  severai  Townships  in  the  County  of  Mon- 
mouth, of  the  Colony  of  New  Jersey,  met  according  to  ap- 
pointment, at  the  Court  House  at  Freehold,  in  said 
county ;  and  appearing  to  have  been  regularly  chosen 
and  constituted  by  their  respective  Townships,  they 
unanimously  agreed  upon  the  propriety  and  expediency 
of  electing  a  Committee  to  represent  the  whole  county  at 
the  approaching  Provincial  Convention,  to  be  held  at 
the  City  of  New  Brunswick,  for  the  necessary  purpose  of 
constituting  a  Delegation  from  this  Province,  to  the  gen- 
eral Congress  of  the  Colonies,  and  for  all  such  other  im- 
portant purposes  as  shall  hereafter  be  found  neccessary. 

They,  at  the  same  time,  also  recorded  the  following 
Resolutions,  Determinations,  and  Opinions,  which  they 
wish  to  be  transmitted  to  posterity,  as  an  ample  testi- 
mony of  their  loyalty  to  his  British  Majesty,  of  their  firm 

attachment 


20 


attacliment  to  the  principles  of  the  glorious  Revolution, 
and  their  fixed  and  unalterable  purpose,  by  every  lawful 
means  in  their  power,  to  maintain  and  defend  them- 
selves in  the  possession  and  enjoyment  of  those  inesti- 
mable, civil  and  religious  privileges  which  their  fore- 
fathers, at  the  expense  of  so  much  blood  and  treasure, 
have  established  and  handed  down  to  them  : 

1.  In  the  names  and  behalf  of  their  constitutents,  the 
good  and  loyal  inhabitants  of  the  County  of  Monmouth, 
in  the  Colony  of  New  Jersey,  they  do  cheerfully  and 
publickly  proclaim  their  unshaken  allegiance  to  the 
person  and  Government  of  his  most  gracious  Majesty 
King  George  the  Third,  now  on  the  British  Throne,  and 
do  acknowledge  themselves  bound  at  all  times,  and  to 
the  utmost  exertion  of  their  power,  to  maintain  his  dig- 
nity and  lawful  sovereignty  in  and  over  all  his  Colonies 
in  America;  and  that  it  is  their  most  fervent  desire  and 
constant  prayer  that,  in  a  Protestant  succession,  the 
descendants  of  the  illustrious  House  of  Hanover,  may 
contitme  to  sway  the  British  sceptre  to  the  latest  posterity. 

2.  They  do  highly  esteem  and  prize  the  happiness  of 
being  governed,  and  having  their  liberty  and  property 
secured  to  them,  by  so  excellent  a  system  of  laws  as  that 
of  Great  Britain,  the  best  doubtless  in  the  universe;  and 
they  will,  at  all  times,  cheerfully  obey  and  render  every 
degree  of  assistance  in  their  power  to  the  full  and  just 
execution  of  them.  But  at  the  same  time  will,  with 
the  greatest  alacrity  and  resolution,  oppose  any  unwar- 
rantable innovation  in  them,  or  any  addition  to,  or  alter- 
ations in  the  grand  system  which  may  appear  unconsti- 
tutional, and  consequently,  inconsistent  with  the  liberties 
and  privileges  of  the  descendants  of  free  born  American 
Britons. 

3.  As  there  has  been  for  ages  past  a  most  happy  union 
and  uninterrupted  connection  between  Great  Britain 
and  her  Colonies  in  America,  they  conceive  their  inter- 
ests are  now  become  so  intimately  blended  together,  and 
their  mutual  dependence  upon  each  other  to  be  at  this 
time  so  delicately  great,  that  they  esteem  everything 
which  has  a  tendency  to  alienate  aflfection  or  disunite 
them  in  any  degree,  highly  injurious  to  their  common 

happiness, 


21 


liappiness,  and  directly  calculated  to  produce  a  Revolu- 
tion likel}^  to  prove  in  the  end  destructive  to  both  ;  they 
do,  therefore,  lieartily  disclaim  every  idea  of  that  s{)irit 
of  independence  which  has  of  late,  by  some  of  our  mis- 
taken brethren  on  each  side  of  the  Atlantic,  been  so 
groundlessly  and  injuriously  held  up  to  the  attention  of 
the  Nation,  as  having,  through  ambition,  possessed  the 
breasts  of  the  Americans.  And,  moreover,  they  devoutly 
beseech  the  Supreme  Disposer  of  all  events,  graciously  to 
incline  the  heart  of  our  Sovereign,  and  all  his  Ministers, 
to  a  kind  and  impartial  investigation  of  the  real  senti- 
ments and  disposition  of  his  truly  loyal  American  sub- 
jects. 

4.  Notwithstanding  many  great  men  and  able  writers 
have  employed  their  talents  and  pens  in  favour  of  the 
newly  adopted  mode  of  taxation  in  America,  they  are 
yet  sensible  of  no  convictive  light  being  thrown  upon 
the  subject;  and,  therefore,  although  so  august  a  body  as 
that  of  the  British  Parliament  is  now  actually  endeavor- 
ing to  enforce,  in  a  military  way,  the  execution  of  some 
distressing  edicts  upon  the  capital  of  the  Massachusetts 
Colony,  they  do  freely  and  solemnly  declare,  that  in  con- 
science the}'  deem  them,  and  all  others  that  are,  or  even 
may  be,  framed  upon  the  same  principles,  altogether  un- 
precedented and  unconstitutional,  utterly  inconsistent 
with  the  true  original  intention  of  Magna  Charta,  sub- 
versive of  the  just  rights  of  free  born  Englishmen,  agree- 
able and  satisfactory  only  to  the  domestick  and  foreign 
enemies  of  our  Nation,  and  consequently  pregnant  with 
complicated  ruin,  and  tending  directly  to  the  dissolution 
and  destruction  of  the  British  Empire. 

5.  As  they,  on  the  one  hand,  firmly  believe  that  the 
inhabitants  of  the  Massachusetts  Colony  in  general,  and 
those  of  the  town  of  Boston  in  particular,  are,  to  all 
intents  and  purposes,  as  loyal  subjects  as  any  in  all  his 
Majesty's  widely  extended  Dominions,  and  on  the  other 
that  (although  the  present  coercive  and  oppressive  meas- 
ures against  them  may  have  taken  their  rise  in  some 
part  from  the  grossest  and  most  cruel  misrepresentation 
both  of  their  disposition  and  conduct)  the  blockade  of 
that  town  is  principally  designed  to  lead  the  way  in  an 

attempt 


22 


attempt  to  execute  a  dreadful,  deep-laid  ])lan  for  enslav- 
ing all  America.  They  are,  therefore,  clearly  of  opinion, 
that  the  Bostonians  are  now  eminently  suffering  in  the 
common  cause  of  American  freedom,  and  that  their  fate 
may  probably  prove  decisive  to  this  very  extensive  Con- 
tinent, and  even  to  the  whole  British  Nation;  and  they 
do  verily  expect  that  unless  some  generous  spirited  meas- 
ures for  the  publick  safety  be  speedily  entered  into,  and 
steadily  prosecuted,  every  other  Colony  will  soon,  in  turn, 
feel  the  pernicious  effects  of  the  same  detestable  restric- 
tions. Whence  they  earnestly  entreat  every  rank,  denom- 
ination, society  and  profession  of  their  brethren,  that, 
laying  aside  all  bigotry  and  every  party  disposition,  they 
do  now  universally  concur  in  one  generous  and  vigorous 
effort  for  the  encouragement  and  support  of  their  suffer- 
ing friends,  and  in  a  resolute  assertion  of  their  birthright, 
liberties,  and  privileges.  In  consequence  of  which  they 
may  reasonably  expect  a  speedy  repeal  of  all  the  arbitrary 
edicts  respecting  the  Massachusetts  Government,  and  at 
the  same  time  an  effectual  preclusion  of  any  future 
attempts  of  the  kind  from  the  enemies  of  our  happy 
Constitution,  either  upon  them  or  any  of  their  American 
brethren. 

6.  In  case  it  shall  hereafter  appear  to  be  consistent  with 
the  result  of  the  deliberations  of  the  general  Congress, 
that  an  interruption,  or  entire  cessation,  of  commercial 
intercourse  with  Great  Britain,  and  even  (painful  as  it 
may  be)  with  the  West  Indies,  until  said  oppressive  Acts 
be  repealed,  and  the  liberties  of  America  fully  restored, 
stated,  and  asserted,  will  on  this  deplorable  emergency 
be  really  necessary  and  conducive  to  the  publick  good, 
they  promise  a  ready  acquiescence  in  the  measure,  and 
will  recommend  the  same  as  far  as  their  influence  shall 
extend. 

7.  As  a  general  Congress  of  Deputies  from  the  several 
American  Colonies  is  proposed  to  be  held  at  Philadelphia, 
some  time  in  September  next,  they  declare  their  entire 
approbation  of  the  design,  and  think  it  the  only  rational 
method  of  evading  those  aggravated  evils  which  threaten 
to  involve  the  whole  Continent  in  one  general  calamitous 
catastrophe.  They  are  therefore  met  this  day,  vested  with 


23 


due  authority  from  their  respective  constituents,  to  elect 
a  Committee  representing  this  County  of  Monmouth  in 
any  future  necessary  transactions  respecting  the  cause  of 
liberty,  and  especially  to  join  the  Provincial  Convention 
soon  to  be  held  at  New  Brunswick,  for  the  purpose  of 
nominating  and  constituting  a  number  of  Delegates,  who, 
in  behalf  of  this  Colony,  may  steadily  attend  said  gen- 
eral Congress,  and  faithfully  serve  the  labouring  cause  of 
freedom,  and  they  have  consequently  chosen  and  deputed 
the  following  gentlemen  to  that  important  trust,  viz.: 
Edward  Taylor,  John  Anderson,  John  Taylor,  James 
Grover,  and  John  Lawrence,  Esquires,  Doctor  Nathaniel 
Scudder,  and  Messrs.  John  Burrowes,  John  Covenhoven, 
Joseph  Holmes,  Josiah  Holmes,  and  Edward  Williams ; 
Edward  Taylor,  Esq  ,  being  constituted  Chairman,  and 
any  five  of  them  a  sufficient  number  to  transact  business. 
And  they  do  beseech  and  entreat,  instruct  and  enjoin 
them,  to  give  their  voice  at  said  Provincial  Convention, 
for  no  persons  but  such  as  they  in  good  conscience  and 
from  the  best  information  shall  verily  believe  to  be  amply 
qualified  for  so  interesting  a  department,  particularly 
that  they  be  men  highly  approved  for  integrity,  honesty 
and  uprightness,  faithfully  attached  to  his  Majesty's  per- 
son and  lawful  Government,  well  skilled  in  the  principles 
of  our  excellent  Constitution,  and  steady  assertors  of  all 
our  civil  and  religious  liberties. 

8.  As,  under  the  present  operations  of  the  Boston  Port 
Bill,  thousands  of  our  respected  brethren  in  that  town 
must  necessarily  be  reduced  to  great  distress,  they  feel 
themselves  affected  with  the  sincerest  sympathy  and  most 
cordial  commisseration ;  and  that  they  expect,  under 
God,  that  the  final  deliverance  of  America  will  be  owing, 
in  a  great  degree,  to  a  continuance  of  their  virtuous 
struggle,  they  esteem  themselves  bound  in  duty  and  in- 
terest, to  afford  them  every  assistance  and  alleviation  in 
their  power,  and  they  do  now,  in  behalf  of  their  constit- 
uents, declare  their  readiness  to  contribute  to  the  relief 
of  the  suffering  poor  in  that  town;  therefore,  they  request 
the  several  Committees  of  the  counties,  when  met,  to  take 
into  their  serious  consideration  the  necessity  and  expedi- 
ency of  forwarding,  under  a  sanction  from  them,  subscrip- 
tions 


24 


tions  through  every  part  of  this  Colony,  for  that  truly 
humane  and  laudable  purpose  ;  and  that  a  proper  plan  be 
concerted  for  laying  out  the  product  of  such  subscriptions 
to  the  best  advantage,  and  afterwards  transmitting  it  to 
Boston  in  the  safest  and  least  expensive  way. 

9.  As  we  are  now,  by  our  Committees  in  this,  in  con- 
junction with  those  of  the  other  Colonies,  about  to  dele- 
gate to  a  number  of  our  countrymen,  a  power  equal  to 
any  wherewith  human  nature  alone  was  ever  invested  ; 
and  as  we  firmly  resolve  to  acquiese  in  the  issue  of  their 
deliberations,  we  do  therefore  earnestly  entreat  them, 
seriously  and  conscientiously  to  weigh  the  inexpressible 
importance  of  their  arduous  department,  and  fervently 
to  solicit  that  direction  and  assistance  in  the  discharge  of 
their  trust,  which  all  the  powers  of  humanity  cannot 
afford  them;  and  we  do  humbly  and  devoutly  beseech 
that  God,  in  whose  hand  are  the  hearts  of  all  flesh,  and 
who  ruleth  them  at  His  pleasure,  graciousl}'^  to  infuse 
into  the  whole  Congress  a  spirit  of  true  wisdom,  pru- 
dence, and  just  moderation;  and  to  direct  them  to  such 
unanimous  and  happy  conclusions,  as  shall  terminate  in 
His  own  honour  and  glory;  the  establishment  of  the 
Protestant  succession  of  the  illustrious  House  of  Hano- 
ver;  the  mutual  weal  and  advantage  of  Great  Britain 
and  all  her  Dominions,  and  a  just  and  permanent  con- 
firmation of  the  civil  and  religious  liberties  of  America. 
And  now  lastly,  under  the  consideration  of  a  bare  possi- 
bility, that  tlie  enemies  of  our  Constitution  may  yet  suc- 
ceed in  a  despotick  triumph  over  us  in  this  age,  we  do 
earnestly  (should  that  prove  the  case)  call  upon  all  future 
generations  to  renew  the  glorious  struggle  for  liberty,  as 
oft  as  Heaven  shall  aff'ord  them  any  probable  means  of 
success. 

May  this  notification,  by  some  faithful  record,  be 
handed  down  to  the  yet  unborn  descendants  of  Ameri- 
cans, that  nothing  but  the  most  fatal  necessity  could 
have  wrested  the  present  inestimable  enjoyments  from 
their  ancestors.  Let  them  universally  inculcate  upon 
their  beloved  offspring  an  investigation  of  those  truths, 
respecting  both  civil  and  religious  liberty,  which  have 
been  so  clearly  and  fully  stated  in  this  generation.  May 


25 


they  be  carefully  taught  in  all  their  schools  ;  and  may 
they  never  rest,  until,  through  a  Devine  blessing  upon 
their  efforts,  true  freedom  and  liberty  shall  reign  trium- 
phant over  the  whole  Globe. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Committee, 

Edward  Taylor, 
County  Chairman. 


Convention  to  Nominate  Delegates  to  the  Conti- 
nental Congress,  &c. 

At  a  general  meeting  of  the  Committees  of  the  several 
Counties  in  the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  at  New  Bruns- 
wick, on  Thursday,  the  21st  July,  and  continued  to  the 
Saturday  following.    Present,  seventy-two  Members. 

Stephen  Crane,  Esquire,  in  the  Chair. 

The  Committees  taking  into  their  serious  consideration 
the  dangerous  and  destructive  nature  of  sundry  Acts  of 
the  British  Parliament,  with  respect  to  the  fundamental 
liberties  of  the  American  Colonies,  conceive  it  their  in- 
dispensable duty  to  bear  their  open  testimony  against 
them,  and  to  concur  with  the  other  Colonies  in  prose- 
cuting all  legal  and  necessary  measures,  for  obtaining 
their  speedy  repeal.  Therefore,  we  unanimously  agree 
in  the  following  sentiments  and  Resolutions: 

1st.  We  think  it  necessary  to  declare,  that  the  inhabit- 
ants of  this  Province,  (and  we  are  confident  the  people 
of  America  in  general)  are,  and  ever  liave  been,  firm  and 
unshaken  in  their  loyalty  to  his  Mnjesty  King  George 
the  Third;  fast  friends  to  the  Revolution  settlement;  and 
that  they  detest  all  thoughts  of  an  independence  on  the 

Crown 


26 


Crown  of  Great  Britain;  Accordingly  we  do,  in  the  most 
sincere  and  solemn  manner,  recognize  and  acknowledge 
his  Majesty  King  George  the  Third  to  be  our  lawful  and 
rightful  Sovereign,  to  whom  under  his  royal  protection 
in  our  fundamental  rights  and  privileges,  we  owe,  and 
will  ren<ler  all  due  faith  and  allegiance. 

2d.  We  think  ourselves  warranted  from  the  principles 
of  our  excellent  Constitution,  to  affirm  that  the  claim  of 
the  British  Parliament,  (in  which  we  neither  are,  nor 
can  be  represented)  to  make  laws,  which  shall  be  bind- 
ing on  the  King's  American  subjects,  "  in  all  cases  what- 
soever," and  particularly  for  imposing  taxes  for  the  pur- 
pose of  raising  a  revenue  in  America  is  unconstitutional 
and  oppressive,  and  which  we  think  ourselves  bound  in 
duty  to  ourselves  and  our  posterity,  by  all  constitutional 
means  in  our  power,  to  oppose. 

3d.  We  think  the  several  late  Acts  of  Parliament  for 
shutting  up  the  port  of  Boston,  invading  the  Charter 
rights  of  the  Province  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay,  and 
subjecting  supposed  offenders  to  be  sent  for  trial  to  other 
Colonies,  or  to  Great  Britain  ;  the  sending  over  an  armed 
force  to  carry  the  same  into  effect,  and  thereby  reducing 
many  thousands  of  innocent  and  loyal  inhabitants  to 
poverty  and  distress;  are  not  only  subversive  of  the 
undoubted  rights  of  his  Majesty's  American  subjects,  but 
also  repugnant  to  the  common  principles  of  humanity 
and  justice.  These  proceedings,  so  violent  in  themselves, 
and  so  truly  alarming  to  the  other  Colonies,  (many  of 
which  are  equally  exposed  to  Ministerial  vengeance,) 
render  it  the  indispensable  duty  of  all,  heartily  to  unite 
in  the  most  proper  measures,  to  procure  redress  for  their 
oppressed  countrymen,  now  suffering  in  the  common 
cause;  and  for  the  re-establishment  of  the  constitutional 
rights  of  America  on  a  solid  and  permanent  foundation. 

4th.  To  effect  this  important  purpose,  we  conceive  the 
most  eligible  method  is,  to  appoint  a  General  Congress 
of  Commissioners  of  the  respective  Colonies;  who  shall 
be  empowered  mutually  to  pledge,  each  to  the  rest,  the 
publick  honour  and  faith  of  their  constituent  Colonies, 
firmly  and  inviolably  to  adhere  to  the  determinations  of 
the  said  Congress. 

5th. 


27 


5th.  Resolved,  That  we  do  earnestly  recommend  a  gen- 
eral non-importaiion  and  a  non-consumption  agreement 
to  be  entered  into  at  such  time,  and  regulated  in  such 
manner,  as  to  the  Congress  shall  appear  most  advisable. 

Gth.  Resolved,  That  it  appears  to  us,  to  be  a  duty  in- 
cumbent on  the  good  people  of  this  Province,  to  afford 
some  immediate  relief  to  the  many  suffering  inhabitants 
of  the  town  of  Boston. 

Therefore,  the  several  County  Committees  do  now 
engage  to  set  on  foot,  and  promote  collections,  without 
delay,  either  by  subscriptions  or  otherwise,  throughout 
their  respective  counties;  and  that  they  will  remit  the 
moneys  arising  from  the  said  subscriptions,  or  any  other 
benefactions,  that  may  be  voluntarily  made  by  the  in- 
habitants, either  to  Boston,  or  into  the  hands  of  James 
Neilson,  John  Dennis,  William  Ouke,  Abraham  Hunt, 
Samuel  Tucker,  Dr.  Isaac  Smith,  Grant  Gibbon,  Thomas 
Sinnicks,  and  John  Carey,  whom  we  do  hereby  appoint 
a  Committee  for  forwarding  the  same  to  Boston,  in  such 
way  and  manner  as  they  shall  be  advised  will  best  an- 
swer the  benevolent  purpose  designed. 

7th.  Resolved,  That  the  grateful  acknowledgements  of 
this  body  are  due  to  the  noble  and  worthy  patrons  of 
constitutional  liberty,  in  the  British  Senate,  for  their 
laudable  efforts  to  avert  the  storm  they  behold  impend- 
ing over  a  much  injured  Colony,  and  in  suppout  of  the 
just  rights  of  the  King's  subjects  in  America. 

8th.  Resolved,  That  James  Kinsey,  William  Living- 
ston, John  Dehart,  Stephen  Crane,  and  Richard  Smith, 
Esquires,  or  such  of  them  as  shall  attend,  be  the  Dele- 
gates to  represent  this  Province  in  the  General  Conti- 
nental Congress,  to  be  held  at  the  City  of  Philadelphia, 
on  or  about  the  first  of  September  next,  to  meet,  consult, 
and  advise  with  the  Deputies  from  the  other  Colonies ; 
and  to  determine  upon  all  such  prudent  and  lawful  mea- 
sures as  may  be  judged  most  expedient  for  the  Colonies 
immediately  and  unitedly  to  adopt,  in  order  to  obtain 
relief  for  an  oppressed  people,  and  the  redress,  of  our 
general  grievances. 

Signed  by  order. 

Jonathan  D.  Sergeant, 

Clerk. 
Letter 


28 


Letter  from  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  of 
New  Jersey  to  the  Committee  of  Correspondence 
of  Boston. 

Elizabethtown,  New  Jersey,  July  28,  1774. 

Gentlemen: — The  arbitrary  and  cruel  oppression 
under  which  your  Metropolis  now  labours  from  the  sus- 
pension of  commerce,  must  inevitably  reduce  multitudes 
to  inexpressible  difficulty  and  distress. 

Suffering  in  a  glorious  and  common  cause,  sympathy 
and  resentment,  with  peculiar  energy,  fill  the  breasts  of 
your  anxious  countrymen.  As  the  King  of  K^ings  and  the 
Ruler  of  Princes  seems,  in  a  remarkable  manner,  to  be  in- 
spiring these  Colonies  with  a  spirit  of  union,  to  confound 
the  counsels  of  your  unrighteous  oppressors,  and  with  a 
spirit  of  humanity  and  benevolence  towards  an  innocent 
and  oppressed  people ;  so,  we  trust,  he  will  also  inspire 
your  town  with  patience,  resignation,  and  fortitude,  until 
this  great  calamity  shall  be  over-past. 

We  have  the  pleasure  to  acquaint  you  that,  on  the  21st 
instant, ^t  the  city  of  New  Brunswick,  the  Province  of 
New  Jersey,  with  singular  unanimity,  seventy-two  Dele- 
gates from  the  several  counties  and  a  mnjority  of  the 
House  of  Representatives  present  and  approving,  entered 
into  similar  resolutions  with  the  other  Colonies;  elected 
five  Deputies  for  the  proposed  Congress,  and  the  County 
Committees  then  agreed  to  promote  collections  in  their 
respective  counties,  for  the  relief  of  such  of  the  unliappy 
inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Boston  as  may  now  be  reduced 
to  extremity  and  want.  To  accomplish  this  purpose  with 
the  more  acceptation  to  yourselves,  we  the  Committee  of 
Correspondence  for  the  Eastern  Division,  request  that, 
by  the  return  of  the  post,  you  would  be  pleased  to  advise 
us  in  what  way  we  can  best  answer  your  present  necessi- 
ties ;  whether  cash  remitted,  or  what  articles  of  provision, 
or  other  necessaries,  we  can  furnish  from  hence,  would 

be 


29 


be  most  agreeable;  and  wliich  we  hope  we  shall  be 
able  to  forward  to  Boston  very  soon  after  your  advice 
shall  be  received.  We  doubt  not  gentlemen  are  devising 
every  possible  method  for  the  employment  of  those  who, 
by  tiieir  deplorable  situation,  are  cut  off  from  all  former 
means  of  subsistence. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble  servants. 
By  order, 

William  Peaktree  Smith, 

Chairman. 


Letter  from  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  of 
Boston,  to  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  for 
New  Jersey. 

Boston,  August  22,  1774. 

Sir  : — The  Committee  of  Correspondence  for  this  town 
have  handed  to  the  Committee  of  Donations  a  letter  from 
you  of  the  28th  ult.,  which  breathes  such  a  spirit  of  union 
and  hearty  concern  for  the  rights  of  America,  as  must 
enkindle  in  every  breast  the  highest  opinion  of  the  vir- 
tue and  firmness  of  the  inhabitants  of  New  Jersey.  With 
hearts  deeply  impressed  with  gratitude,  we  note  your 
kind  intentions  to  contribute  for  the  relief  of  the  inhabit- 
ants of  this  town,  suffering  by  means  of  the  Boston  Port 
Bill,  and  desire  to  know  "  in  what  way  you  can  best 
answ  r  our  present  necessities,  whether  cash  remitted  or 

articles 


• 


30 


articles  of  provision."  For  answer,  if  cash  would  be 
equally  agreeable  to  our  friends,  it  would  be  very  accept- 
able at  this  time,  but  would  leave  that  matter  entirely  to 
your  convenience.  The  Christian  sympathy  and  gener- 
osity of  our  friends  through  the  Continent  cannot  fail  to 
inspire  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  with  patience,  resig- 
nation and  firmness,  while  we  trust  in  the  Supreme  Ruler 
of  the  universe,  that  he  will  graciously  hear  our  cries, 
and  in  his  time  free  us  from  our  present  bondage,  and 
make  us  rejoice  in  his  great  salvation. 

Please  to  present  our  greatful  acknowledgments  to  our 
friends  of  New  Jersey,  and  be  assured  we  are,  with  great 
esteem,  sir,  your  friends  and  fellow-countrymen. 

Nathaniel  Appleton. 

per  order. 


Commission  of  Delegates  for  New  Jersey  to  Con- 
tinental Congress  at  Philadelphia,  September  5, 
1774. 

To  James  Kinney,  William  Livingston,  John  De  Hart, 
Stephen  Crane  and  Richard  Smith,  Esquires,  each  and 
every  of  you  : 

The  Committees  appointed  by  the  several  Counties  of 
the  Colony  of  New  Jersey,  to  nominate  Deputies  to  rep- 
resent the  same  in  the  General  Congress  of  Deputies  from 
the  other  Colonies  in  America,  convened  at  the  City  of 
New  Brunswick,  have  nominated  and  appointed,  and  do 

hereby 


81 

hereby  nominate  and  appoint  you,  and  each  of  you, 
Deputies  to  represent  the  Colony  of  New  Jersey,  in  the 
said  General  Congress. 

In  testimony  whereof  the  Chairman  of  the  said  several 
Committees  here  met,  have  hereunto  set  their  hands,  this 
twenty-third  day  of  July,  in  the  fourteenth  year  of  the 
reign  of  our  sovereign  Lord  George  the  Third,  and  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord,  1774. 
Signed, 

William  P.  Smith, 

John  Moores, 

Robert  Field, 

Peter  Zabriskie, 

Edward  Taylor, 

Archibald  Stewart 

Abia  Brown, 


Jacob  Ford, 
Robert  Johnson, 
Robert  Friend  Price, 
Samuel  Tucker, 
Hendrick  Fisher, 
Thomas  Anderson, 
Mark  Thompson. 


Address  of  the  Grand  Jury  of  Essex  County. 

To  the  Honourable  Frederick  Smyth,  Esquire,  Chief  Justice 
of  the  Province  of  New  Jersey  : 

The  address  of  the  Grand  Jury  for  the  Body  of  the 
County  of  Essex,  at  a  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer  and 
General  Goal  Delivery,  held  at  Newark,  in  the  said 
County,  the  first  Tuesday  in  November,  1774. 

May  it  please  your  Honour  : 

As  your  Honour's  charge  from  the  Bench  was  not  so 
properly  directory  to  us  with  respect  to  our  duty  as  the 

Grand 


« 


32 


Grand  Inquest  of  this  County,  as  matter  of  instruction 
for  the  reguhition  of  our  own  personal  conduct  amidst 
the  present  commotions  of  the  Continent,  we  think  our- 
selves obliged,  from  the  singularity  of  the  charge,  and  its 
paternal  tenderness  for  our  welfare,  to  express  our  grati- 
tude for  your  Honour's  friendly  admonitions,  (which 
doubtless  derived  great  solemnity  from  the  place  in 
which  they  were  delivered,)  and  at  the  same  time  inform 
you  how  far  we  have  the  misfortune  to  differ  from  you  in 
sentiment,  both  as  to  the  origin  and  tendency  of  the 
present  uneasiness  so  generally  diffused  through  all  the 
Colonies.  If  we  rightly  understood  a  particular  part  of 
your  Honour's  charge,  you  were  pleased  to  tell  us,  that 
while  we  were  employed  in  guarding  against "  imaginary 
tyranny,  three  thousand  miles  distant,"  we  ought  not  to 
expose  ourselves  to  a  "  real  tyranny  at  our  own  doors." 
As  we  neither  know,  sir,  nor  are  under  the  least  appre- 
hension of  any  tyranny  at  our  own  doors,  unless  it  should 
make  its  way  hither  from  the  distance  you  mention,  and 
then,  we  hope,  that  all  those  whom  the  Constitution  has 
entrusted  with  the  guardianship  of  our  liberties,  will 
rather  strive  to  obstruct  than  accelerate  its  progress,  we 
are  utterly  at  a  loss  for  the  idea  thereby  intended  to  be 
communicated.  But,  respecting  the  tyranny  at  the  dis- 
tance of  three  thousand  miles,  which  your  Honour  is 
pleased  to  represent  as  imaginary,  we  have  the  unhapi-. 
ness  widely  to  differ  from  you  in  opinion.  The  effect, 
sir,  of  that  tyranny  is  too  severely  felt  to  have  it  thought 
altogether  visionary.  We  cannot  think,  sir,  that  taxes 
'imposed  upon  us  by  our  fellow  subjects,  in  a  Legislature 
in  which  we  are  not  represented,  is  an  imaginary,  but 
that  it  is  a  real  and  actual  tyranny  ;  and  of  which  no 
Nation  whatsoever  can  furnish  a  single  instance.  We 
cannot  think,  sir,  that  depriving  us  of  the  inestimable 
right  of  trial  by  jury;  seizing  our  persons  and  carrying 
us  for  trial  to  Great  Britain  is  a  tyranny  merely  im- 
aginary. 

Nor  can  we  think  with  your  Honour,  that  distroying 
Charters  and  changing  our  forms  of  Government,  is  a 
tyranny  altogether  ideal. — That  an  Act  passed  to  protect, 
indemnify,  and  screen  from  punishment  such  as  may  be 

guilty 


33 


guilty  even  of  murder  is  a  bare  idea. — That  the  estab- 
lishment of  French  laws  and  Popish  religon  in  Canada, 
the  better  to  facilitate  the  arbitrary  schemes  of  the  British 
Ministry,  by  making  the  Canadians  instruments  in  the 
hands  of  power  to  reduce  us  to  slavery,  has  no  other  than 
a  mental  existence.  In  a  word,  sir,  we  cannot  persuade 
ourselves  that  the  Fleet  now  blocking  up  the  Port  of 
Boston,  consisting  of  ships  built  of  real  English  oak  and 
solid  iron,  and  armed  with  cannon  of  ponderous  metal, 
with  actual  powder  and  ball ;  nor  the  Army  lodged  in  the 
Town  of  Boston,  and  the  Fortifications  thrown  about  it, 
(substantial  and  formidable  realities,)  are  all  creatures  of 
the  imagination.  These,  sir,  are  but  a  few  of  the  numer- 
ous grievances  under  which  America  now  groans.  These 
are  some  of  the  effects  of  that  deliberate  plan  of  tyranny 
concerted  fit  "  three  thousand  miles  distance,"  and  which, 
to  your  Honour,  appears  only  like  the  "  baseless  fabrick 
of  a  vision."  To  procure  redress  of  these  grievances, 
which  to  others  assume  the  form  of  odious  and  horrid 
realities,  the  Continent,  as  we  learn,  has  very  naturally 
been  thrown  into  great  commotions;  and  as  far  as  this 
County  in  particular  has  taken  part  in  the  alarm,  we 
have  the  happiness  to  represent  to  your  Honour,  that  in 
the  prosecution  of  measures  forr  preserving  American 
liberiies,  and  obtaining  the  removal  of  oppressions,  the 
people  have  acted  in  all  their  popular  assemblies,  (which 
it  is  the  right  of  Englishmen  to  convene  whenever  they 
please,)  with  the  spirit,  temper  and  prudence  becoming 
freemen  and  loyal  subjects. 

To  trespass  no  longer  on  your  Honour's  patience,  we 
conclude  with  our  hearty  wishes,  that  while  the  great 
cause  of  liberty  is  warmly,  and  at  the  same  time  so 
peaceably  vindicated,  by  all  honest  Americans,  as  essen- 
tially necessary  to  publick  happiness  ;  no  bias  of  self- 
interest;  no  fawning  servility  towards  those  in  power;  no 
hopes  of  future  preferment,  will  induce  any  man  to  damp 
,  their  laudable  and  patriotick  ardour;  nor  lend  his  help- 
ing hand  to  the  unnatural  and  diabolical  work  of  rivet- 
ing those  chains  which  are  forging  for  us  by  that  same 
actual  tyranny,  at  the  distance  of  three  thousand  miles. 

To 

4 


34 


To  the  Freeholders  of  the  County  of  Essex,  in  the 
Province  of  New  Jersey,  quahfied  to  vote  for  Rep- 
resentatives in  the  Legislature. 

Gentlemen  : — The  zeal  you  have  hitherto  manifested 
in  support  of  the  constitutional  liberties  of  your  country 
will  unquestionably  prompt  you  to  carry  into  execution, 
with  firmness  and  unanimity,  the  wise  and  prudent  Reso- 
lutions lately  entered  into  by  the  Delegates  of  this  Conti- 
nent, in  General  Congress.  In  the  eleventh  Article  of 
the  Association,  formed  in  behalf  of  themselves  and  their 
constituents,  it  was  agreed  "  That  a  Committee  be  ap- 
"  pointed  in  every  County,  City  and  Town,  by  those  who 
"  are  qualified  to  vote  for  Representatives  in  the  Legisla- 
"  ture,  whose  business  it  shall  be  to  observe  the  conduct  of 
"  all  persons  touching  the  said  Association."  We  your 
Committee  of  Correspondence,  cannot  in  the  least  doubt 
your  ready  and  immediate  compliance  with  the  Article; 
for,  as  the  salutary  effects  to  arise  from  this  Association, 
must,  under  God,  depend  upon  the  fidelity  of  individuals 
in  carrying  it  precisely  into  execution  ;  so,  should  any 
inhabitant  of  this  Colony  be  found  so  lost  to  a  sense  of 
publick  virtue,  as  to  violate  the  same  in  any  instance, 
such  person,  pursuant  to  the  said  Article,  may  by  your 
Committees,  "  be  held  up  to  publick  notice,  as  unfriendly 
"  to  the  liberties  of  his  country,  and  all  dealings  with  him 
"  or  her  be  thenceforward  broken  off."  We  have  therefore 
thought  fit  to  recommend  to  you,  that  for  the  more  ex- 
tensive observation  of  the  conduct  of  individuals,  Com- 
mittees be  chosen  for  each  of  the  three  Precints  into 
which  the  County  is  divided,  viz.,  Elizabethtown,  New- 
ark and  Achquakanung;  and  we  do  hereby  give  notice 
to  and  request  the  Freeholders  of  the  respective  Precincts, 
to  convene  for  that  purpose,  as  follows:  For  the  Bor- 
ough of  Elizabeth,  at  the  Court  House,  in  Elizabethtown, 
on  Tuesday,  the  sixth  day  of  December  next,  at  2  o'clock, 
P.  M. ;  for  Newark,  at  the  Court  House  in  Newark,  on 

Wednesday, 


35 


Wednesday,  the  seventh  day  of  December;  and  for  Ach- 
quakanung,  on  Monday,  the  twelfth  day  of  December,  at 
the  Bridge,  opposite  the  house  of  Timotliy  Day.  And  we 
do  also  recommend  to  you,  that  ten  at  least  of  the  most 
reputable  inhabitants  for  Achquakanung,  fifteen  for 
Newark,  and  twenty  for  Elizabethtown,  be  elected  for 
the  above  purpose. 

As  Delegates  for  the  several  Colonies  are  again  to  be 
appointed,  to  meet  at  Philadelphia,  on  the  tenth  day  of 
May  next,  it  will  be  farther  expedient  that  the  inhabit- 
ants make  choice  of  a  new  Committee  of  Correspondence, 
with  power  to  instruct  the  Representatives  for  this 
County,  when  convened  in  General  Assembly,  to  join  in 
the  appointment  of  Delegates  for  the  Colony  to  meet  in 
the  said  Congress.  But  if  the  said  General  Assembly 
shall  not  appoint  Delegates  for  that  purpose,  by  the  first 
day  of  April'  next,  then  the  said  Committee  of  Corres- 
pondence do  meet  with  the  several  County  Committees 
of  this  Colony,  and  appoint  the  said  Delegates  at  such 
time  and  place  as  shall  be  agreed  upon  by  the  said  Com- 
mittees. 


Stephen  Crane, 
John  De  Hart, 
William  Livingston, 
Isaac  Ogden, 


Elias  Boudinot, 
Jo.  RiGGs,  Jr., 


UKJ.    -LVHJVJO,   U  XV., 

John  Chetwood, 
Henry  Gerrits, 


W.  P.  Smith. 


County  of  Essex,  November  28, 1774. 


At 


86 


Essex  County  Assembly. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  of  Elizahethtown,  in 
Essex  County,  in  the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  on  Tuesday, 
the  first  day  of  December,  1774. 

Stephen  Crane,  Esquire,  in  the  Chair. 

The  Committee  of  Correspondence  for  the  County  of 
Essex  having  produced  the  Association  lately  entered 
into  by  the  Delegates  of  the  American  Colonies,  met  in 
General  Congress,  the  same  was  read  to  and  then  unani- 
mously approved  and  adopted  by  the  whole  Assembly, 
who  were  pleased  at  the  same  time  to  signify  their  thanks 
to  the  Delegates  of  this  Colony  for  their  faithful  services. 

It  was  then  proposed,  that  pursuant  to  the  eleventh 
Article  of  the  said  Association,  a  large  Committee  should 
be  now  chosen  for  the  purposes  therein  mentioned,  which 
was  also  agreed  to,  and  the  following  persons  were  ac- 
cordingly appointed,  viz. :  Jonathan  Hampton,  Matthias 
Williamson,  Elias  Dayton,  Isaac  Woodruff,  William  Bar- 
nett,  Wm.  Herri  man,  Oliver  Spencer,  Gerge  Ross,  Ed- 
ward Thomas,  Cornelius  Hetfield,  John  Blanchard, 
Ephraim  Tyrrel,  Abraham  Clarke,  Robert  Ogden,  junior, 
Jeremiah  Smith,  Richard  Townley,  junior,  Samuel  Shot- 
well,  David  Miller,  Thomas  Woodruff,  John  Clawson, 
Jona'than  Dayton, Ephraim  Marsh, RecompenceStanbury, 
Jedediah  Swan,  William  Parsons,  Samuel  Potter,  Wil- 
liam Bott,  Jonathan  Williams,  Christopher  Marsh,  Isaac 
Wynants,  Daniel  Halsey. 

After  which  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  informed 
the  Assembly  that,  having  executed  the  services  for  which 
the}'  had  been  particularly  appointed,  they  had  thought 
proper  to  desolve  themselves,  in  order  that  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  respective  Precints  of  the  County  might 
have  the  opportunity  of  a  new  choice.  Whereupon 
Stephen  Crane,  John  De  Hart,  William  Livingston,  Wil- 
liam P.  Smith,  Elias  Boudinot,  and  John  Chetwood, 
Esquires,  being  of  the  late  Committee,  were  unanimously 
re-elected  for  the  Borough  of  Elizabeth,  and  at  the  same 

time 


37 


time  authorized  to  instruct  the  Representatives  of  this 
County,  when  convened  in  General  Assembly,  to  join  in 
the  appointment  of  Delegates  for  this  Colony,  to  meet  in 
the  next  General  Congress,  at  Philadelphia.  But  if  the 
said  Assembly  should  not  appoint  Delegates  for  that 
])urpose,  by  the  first  day  of  April  next,  then  the  said 
Committee  of  Correspondence  to  meet  with  the  several 
County  Committees  of  this  Colony,  and  appoir)t  the  said 
Delegates,  at  such  time  and  place  as  shall  be  agreed  u})on 
by  the  said  Committees. 

The  above  business  being  finished,  the  Assembly 
unanimously  Voted,  That  two  certain  Pamphts  lately 
published,  the  one  entitled  A  Friendly  Address,  &c.,  and 
the  other  under  the  signiture  of  A  Farmer,  as  containing 
many  notorious  falsehoods,  evidently  calculated  to  sow 
seeds  of  dissention  among  the  good  people  of  America, 
grossly  misrepresenting  the  principles  of  the  present 
opposition  to  Parliamentary  Taxations,  vilifying  the  late 
Congress,  and  intended  to  facilitate  the  scheme  of  the 
British  Ministry  for  enslaving  the  Colonies,  be  publickly 
burnt,  in  detestation  and  abhorrence  of  such  infamous 
publications. 

And  the  same  were  accordingly  committed  to  the 
flames,  before  the  Court  House,  with  the  universal  ap- 
probation of  a  numerous  concourse  of  people. 


New^ark  Committee. 


Pursuant  to  the  eleventh  Article  of  the  Association 
entered  into  by  the  late  Continental  Congress,  held  at 

Philadelphia, 


38 


Philadelphia,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  of  the 
Township  of  Newark,  in  the  County  of  Essex,  at  the 
Court  House,  on  Wednesday,  the  7th  of  December,  1774. 

Joseph  Briggs,  Jun.,  Esq.,  in  the  Chair. 

After  a  proper  introduction  to  the  business  of  the  day, 
the  following  persons  were  unanimously  chosen  as  a 
Committee  of  Observation  for  the  Town  aforesaid,  viz. : 
Joseph  Allen,  Esq.,  Garrabrant  Garrabrant,  Esquire, 
Caleb  Camp,  Bethuel  Pierson,  John  Range,  Solomon 
Davis,  Doctor  Matthias  Pierson,  Samuel  Pennington, 
Joseph  Hedden,  Jun.,  Daniel  Cundict,  John  Earle,  John 
Spear,  Moses  Farrand,  David  Cundict,  Esq.,  John  Peck, 
Joseph  Lyon,  Thomas  Cadmus,  Jun.,  Abraham  Lyon, 
James  Wheeler,  Ichahod  Harrison,  Jonathan  Sayer,  Rob- 
ert Johnston,  Robert  Neil,  Junior. 

At  a  meeting  of  a  majority  of  the  above  Committee, 
held  in  Newark.  January  5,  1775,  Caleb  Camp,  Chair- 
man, Robert  Johnston,  Clerk. 

Voted,  That  the  Thanks  of  this  Committee  be  presented 
to  the  Honourable  Delegates  for  this  Province,  members 
of  the  Continental  Congress  held  at  Philadelphia  in  Sep- 
tember last,  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  the  important 
trust  reposed  in  them  : 

To  the  Delegates  for  New  Jersey,  in  the  Continental  Congress  : 

Gentlemen  : — While  we  feel  an  inviolable  attachment 
to  the  person  of  the  King,  and  the  present  reigning  fam- 
il}',  it  is  with  the  highest  esteem  of,  and  gratitude  to  you, 
the  particular  Delegates  for  this  Province  (in  conjunction 
with  the  whole  of  that  venerable  body)  that  we  view  the 
many  wise  and  prudent  measures  by  you  adopted  to  sup- 
port, and  hand  down  to  posterity  inviolate,  those  valuable 
and  important  privileges,  both  civil  and  sacred,  so  highly 
prized  by  our  ancestors. 

And  'tis  with  the  greatest  resentment  that  we  so  often 
behold  your  virtuous  and  patriotick  endeavours  wickedly 
traduced  and  made  the  subject  of  ridicule  and  slander 
by  those  Sons  of  Belial,  whose  attachedness  to  their 
master,  will  prompt  them  to  commit  violence  to  their 

own 


39 


own  judgments,  and  even  feed  their  wickedness  with  the 
very  blood  of  their  country.  But  you  sirs,  may  be 
assured,  that  sucli  authors  (when  known  as  their  crimi- 
nal production)  shall  ever  be  treated  by  us  with  the 
utmost  contempt,  as  they  merrit. 

And  as  a  further  mark  of  acquiescence  in  the  Associa- 
tion, and  demonstration  of  our  sincerity,  we  think  it  our 
duty  for  ourselves,  and  we  will  with  the  utmost  of  our 
influence,  recommend  to  our  constituents,  as  the  only 
probable  means  of  securing  our  liberties,  that  the  said 
Association  be  punctually  adhered  to,  and  strictly  put  in 
execution. 

That  the  blessings  of  Heaven  may  succeed  all  our  en- 
deavours to  vanquish  our  enemies,  and  effectually  secure 
the  liberties  of  British  America,  and  finally  establish  a 
happy,  constitutional,  and  lasting  union  between  Great 
Britain  and  her  Colonies,  is  the  sincere  wish  of,  gentle- 
men, your  much  obliged  and  very  humble  servants. 
By  order  of  the  Committee, 

Caleb  Camp, 
Chairman. 

As  the  present  critical  situation  of  our  Nation,  and 
especially  of  British  America,  make  it  highly  necessary, 
that  every  publick  exhibition  from  the  press  should  be 
stripped  of  all  false  disguises,  and  fairly  hold  up  to  view 
the  only  alternative,  viz.:  a  tame  submission  to  a  tyran- 
nical Ministry,  and  its  consequence,  abject  slavery  ;  or  a 
brave,  manly  and  constitutional  resistance,  as  the  only 
likely  means  of  obtaining  and  enjoying  liberty  ;  There- 
fore the  Committee  of  Observation,  for  the  Township  of 
Newark,  beg  leave  to  publish  the  following  Queries  and 
Resolves : 

Query  1.  Whether  a  Press,  which  weekly  throws  out 
pamphlets  and  other  publick  pieces,  replete  with  the 
most  bitter  invectives,  scandalous  and  criminal  reflec- 
tions upon  that  reputable  body,  the  Continental  Congress, 
and  their  constituents;  and  all,  with  a  manifest  design 
to  blind  the  eyes  of  the  less  judicious  ;  sow  the  seeds  of 
faction  and  discord,  and  thus  gratify  the  perfidious  au- 
thors by  prejudicing  the  honest,  unthinking,  against 

their 


9 


40 


their  real  interest ;  wliether  such  a  press  is  not  inimical  to 
the  country  where  it  is,  and  does  not  forfeit  its  support? 

Query  2.  Whether  such  a  Printer,  and  the  authors  of 
such  pieces,  when  known,  are  not,  according  to  the  strict 
sense  of  the  Grand  Congress,  those  very  persons  who  hy 
them  are  considered  such  enemies  to  their  country  that 
every  true  friend  of  liberty  ought  to  avoid  them  ? 

Query  3.  Whether  a  Printer  in  New  York  in  the  space  of 
three  or  four  years,  by  the  profits  of  his  press,  and  a  mode- 
rate per  cent,  on  Keyser's  Pills,  with  a  few  other  insignifi- 
cant perquisites,  can  from  a  low  ebb  of  fortune,  if  not 
bankruptcy,  acquire  such  independence,  that  he  dare  pub- 
lickly,  with  an  air  of  supercilious  haughtiness,  proclaim 
himself  independent  of  the  country,  and  that  he  could 
live  without  their  custom. 

Query  If..  Whether  such  a  man  is  not  a  Ministerial  hire- 
ling, who  is  endeavouring  to  sacrifice  his  country  to  his 
own  private  interest. 

And  weiereas,  it  is  too  evident  to  this  Committee,  that 
the  above  character  is  exactly  fitted  to  J.  Rivington  ; 
therefore 

Resolved,  That  this  Committee  will  henceforth  take  no 
more  of  his  papers,  pamphlets,  or  any  otiier  publick  per- 
formance of  his  press,  neither  will  we  deal  with  liim  in 
any  other  way.  And  we  would  heartily  recommend, 
that  our  constituents  may  take  this  matter  into  serious 
consideration  ;  and  as  far  as  it  shall  carry  conviction  to 
them,  treat  him  with  a  correspondent  conduct. 

By  order  of  the  Committee. 

Caleb  Camp, 
Chairman. 


Elizabeth  town 


41 


Elizabethtown  Resolutions. 
Elizabethtown,  New  Jersey,  December,  19,  1774. 

The  Committee  of  Observation  for  the  free  Borough 
and  Town  of  Elizabeth,  taking  into  consideration  that 
James  Rivington,  Printer  of  one  of  the  New  Yorlc 
Gazettes,  liaving  published  many  pieces  in  his  paper, 
and  divers  pamphlets,  inimical  to  the  liberties  of  Amer- 
ica; by  which  we  have  reason  to  suspect  that  he  is  a  vile 
Ministerial  hireling,  employed  to  disunite  the  Colonies, 
and  calumniate  all  their  measures  entered  into  for  the 
publick  good;  in  order  therefore,  to  discountenance  the 
attempts  of  every  person  unfriendly  to  America  liberty, 

Resolved,  unanimously,  By  this  Committee,  that  tliey 
will  take  no  more  of  said  Rivington's  Gazettes,  nor  send 
an}'  advertisements  to  be  inserted  therein,  or  have  any 
further  dealings  or  commerce  with  him;  And  that  we 
will  recommend  it  to  our  constituents  to  observe  the 
same  conduct  towards  said  Rivington,  or  any  other 
Printer  who  shall  publish  or  print  any  pieces  or  pam- 
phlets tending  to  break  the  happy  union  now  subsisting 
throughout  the  American  Colonies. 

By  order  of  the  Committee. 

Jonathan  Hampton, 

Chairman. 


Middlesex 


42 


Middlesex  County  Resolutions. 

According  to  a  notice  of  the  20th  of  December,  sundry 
of  the  Freeholders  of  Middlesex  County  assembled  at  the 
Court  House  in  New  Brunswick,  on  the  3d  day  of  Janu- 
ary, 1775,  but  finding  their  number  insufficient  to  pursue 
the  business  recommended  by  the  Continental  Congress: 

It  was  agreed  that  every  City,  Township  and  District, 
should  have  a  meeting  by  themselves,  and  choose  Com- 
mittees of  Observation  and  Inspection  ;  and  when  chosen, 
meet  at  New  Brunswick,  the  16th  day  of  this  instant,  and 
by  majority  of  votes,  choose  a  Committee  of  Correspond- 
ence for  the  County,  to  have  existence  for  a  limited  time. 

Accordingly  the  several  Districts  in  the  County  have 
had  meetings,  and  have  chosen  Committees  of  Observa- 
tion, as  follows,  to  wit : 

For  Woodbridge — Ebenezer  Foster,  Henry  Freeman, 
Nathaniel  Heard,  Reuben  Potter,  William  Smith,  Jere- 
miah Manning,  Matthias  Baker,  Charles  Jackson,  Samuel 
Force,  John  Pain,  James  Manning,  John  Heard,  Daniel 
Moores,  John  Ross,  Ellis  Barron,  William  Cutter,  Reuben 
Evans,  James  Randolph,  Timothy  Bloomfield,  John  Noe, 
and  John  Conway. 

For  Piscataway — John  Oilman,  Henry  Sutton,  John 
Langstaff,  William  Manning,  Benjamin  Manning,  Jacob 
Martin,  Charles  Suydam,  Jeremiah  Field,  Daniel  Bray, 
Jacob  Fitsworth,  Micajah  Dunn,  Melancthon  Freeman  and 
John  Dunn. 

For  South  Amboy — Stephen  Pangburn,  John  Layd, 
Luke  Schenck,  Matthew  Rice,  William  Vance  and  Joseph 
Potter. 

For  New  Brunswick — Azariah  Dunham,  J.  Schureman, 
John  Dennis,  John  Lyle,  Jun.,  Abraham  Schuyler,  George 
Hame,  Jacobus  Van  Huys,  John  Slight,  John  Voorhees, 
Barent  Stryker,  William  Williamson,  Peter  Farmer,  Ferdi- 
nand Schureman,  Abraham  Bucklew  and  Jonathan  RoefF. 

For  South  Brunswick — David  Williamson,  William 
Sender,  Isaac  Van  Dyck,  John  Wetherill,  Jun.,  Abraham 
Terheune,  Jacob  Van  Dvck,  and  Charles  Barclav. 

For 


43 


For  Windsor — James  Hebron,  Samuel  Minor,  Jonathan 
Combs,  Andrew  Davison,  Isaac  Rogers,  Ezekiel  Smith 
and  Jonathan  Baldwin. 

By  a  meeting  of  the  General  Committee  of  Observation 
and  Inspection  for  the  County  of  Middlesex,  in  the 
Province  of  New  Jersey,  chosen  in  pursuance  of  the 
eleventh  Article  of  the  Association  of  the  Continental 
Congress,  and  assembled  at  New  Brunswick,  in  the  said 
County,  on  Monday,  the  IGth  day  of  January,  1775. 

Azariah  Dunham,  Esquire,  in  the  Chair. 

1.  Resolved,  That  this  Committee  have  been  duly  em- 
powered and  authorized  by  the  Freeholders  and  Free- 
men of  the  County  of  Middlesex,  to  meet  this  Jay  at  New 
Brunswick,  and,  in  their  names,  to  transact  all  such  pub- 
lick  business  as  the  Committee,  or  a  majority  of  them, 
think  of  importance  to  the  general  interest  of  the  County. 

Resolved,  That  we  heartily  and  entirely  approve  of 
the  Proceedings  of  the  late  Continental  Congress,  as  pub- 
lished in  their  journal,  entitled  "Journal  of  the  Proceed- 
"  ings  of  the  Congress,  held  at  Philadelphia,  September  fifth, 
"  1774;"  and  tliat  we  esteem  ourselves  bound  by  the  ties 
of  virtue,  honour,  and  the  love  of  our  country,  to  con- 
tribute all  in  our  power  towards  carrying  into  practice 
the  measures  which  they  have  recommended. 

3.  Resolved,  That  we  look  upon  ourselves  as  under  par- 
ticular obligations  of  gratitude  to  the  worthy  and  pub- 
lick  spirited  gentlemen  who  composed  the  late  Congress, 
for  the  knowledge  with  which  they  have  pointed  out  and 
defined  our  rights,  the  firmness  with  which  they  have 
asserted  them,  and  the  wisdom  with  which  they  have 
devised  the  most  likely  and  peaceable  means  of  recover- 
ing, establishing  and  perpetuating  them. 

4.  Resolved,  That  James  Neilson,  William  Oak,  Azariah 
Dunham,  John  Wetherill,  Jonathan  Combs,  Stephen  Pang- 
burn  and  Ebenezer  Foster,  Esquires,  Messrs.  Wra.  Smith, 
Matthias  Baker,  Jacob  Fitsworth,  John  Dunn,  David  Wil- 
liamson, Jonathan  Baldwin  and  Jacob  Schenck,  be  and 
they  are  by  this  Committee  appointed  a  Committee  of  Cor- 
respondence for  the  County  of  Middlesex,  and  that  they  do, 
as  soon  as  possible,  by  their  humble  petition,  address  the 
General  Assembly  now  sitting  at  Perth  Amboy,  to  nomi- 
nate 


44 


nate  Deputies  from  tliis  Province  to  the  General  Con- 
gress, to  be  held  at  Philadelphia  in  May  next;  and  pro- 
vided the  Assembly  do  not  undertake  such  nomination, 
that  they  then  meet  and  join  with  the  other  Committees 
of  Correspondence  appointed  by  the  several  Counties  in 
the  Province,  and  at  a  proper  time  and  place,  and  elect 
Deputies  for  the  service  aforesaid  ;  and  that  this  Commit- 
tee be  and  continue  the  Committee  of  Correspondence 
for  the  County  of  Middlesex,  till  the  rising  of  the  next 
General  Congress,  and  no  longer. 

6.  Resolved,  That  we  think  it  our  duty  publickly  to 
declare  our  contempt  and  detestation  of  those  insidious 
scribblers,  who,  with  the  vilest  views,  enlist  themselves  iu 
the  cause  of  the  Ministry,  and  by  the  vilest  means  en- 
deavor to  effect  a  disunion  among  the  good  people  of  the 
Colonies,  that  they  may  become  a  prey  to  the  oppression 
against  which  they  are  so  laudably  and  unanimously 
struggling;  who  skulk  behind  prostituted  printing 
presses,  and  with  the  assistance  of  the  prostituted  con- 
ductors of  them,  labour  to  circulate  their  pestilent  com- 
positions through  the  land,  under  the  show  of  friendship 
and  a  regard  to  the  publick  good  ;  who,  with  the  most 
unexampled  effrontery  against  the  sense  of  every  man  of 
the  least  information  and  impartiality,  will  persist  in  re- 
tailing the  rotten,  exploded,  and  ten  thousand  times  con- 
futed doctrines  of  a  passive  acquiescence  in  the  measures 
of  Government,  however  distempered  and  tyrannical. 

6.  Resolved,  That  we  will  preserve  on  this  trying  occa- 
sion a  resolute  spirit,  directed  by  loyalty  to  our  King, 
prudence,  temper,  and  dispassion,  testifying  that,  as  our 
cause  is  clearly  just,  we  mean  to  support  it  by  just  exer- 
tions, and  not  by  misrule  and  outrage. 

Signed  by  order  and  on  behalf  of  the  meeting,  by 

John  Dennis, 

Clerk. 


Woodbridge 


45 


Woodbridge  Committee. 

At  a  General  Meeting  of  the  Inliabitants  of  the  Town- 
ship of  Woodbridge,  in  the  County  of  Middlesex,  in  New 
Jersej',  on  Saturday,  the  7th  day  of  January,  1775. 

Captain  Reuben  Potter  being  chosen  Moderator. 

The  Association  entered  into  and  recommended  by 
the  late  General  Congress  at  Philadelphia  being  read 
and  approved  of,  it  was 

1st.  Resolved  unanimously,  That  the  said  Association  be 
adopted  by  the  Town,  and  carried  into  execution. 

2d.  Resolved  unanimously,  That  a  Committee  of  Obser- 
vation, consisting  of  twenty-one  members,  be  appointed 
by  those  "  qualified  to  vote  for  Representatives  in  the 
Legislature."  Accordingly,  the  following  persons  were 
chosen  without  a  dissenting  voice,  viz:  Ebenezer  Foster, 
Henry  Freeman,  Nathaniel  Heard,  and  Reuben  Potter, 
Esquires,  Messrs.  William  Smith,  Jeremiah  Manning, 
Matthias  Baker,  Charles  Jackson,  Samuel  Force,  John 
Pain,  James  Manning,  John  Heard,  Daniel  Moores,  John 
Ross,  Ellis  Barron,  William  Cutter,  Reuben  Evans,  James 
Randolph,  Timothy  Bloomfield,  John  Noe,  and  John 
Conway,  to  see  the  said  Association  be  punctually  ob- 
served and  carried  into  execution  ;  that  any  nine  or 
more  of  them  be  authorized  to  act  for  the  purpose  speci- 
fied in  the  eleventh  Article  of  said  Association. 

3d.  Resolved  unanimously,  That  it  is  the  desire  of  the 
people  now  met,  that  the  said  Committee  do  execute  the 
trust  reposed  in  them  with  firmness  and  fidelity,  and  in 
every  respect  follow  the  directions  of  the  Association,  as 
much  as  if  it  was  a  law  of  this  Province;  and  they  be 
upon  oath  for  the  conscientious  discharge  of  their  duty. 

The  Committee  of  this  Town  appointed  to  meet  the 
Committees  of  the  other  Townships  in  County  Committee 
and  Provincial  Congress,  in  July  last,  desiring  to  be  dis- 
missed, it  was 

4th.  Resolved  unanimously,  That  they  be  thanked  for 
the  faithful  discharge  of  the  trust  reposed  in  them,  and 
dismissed  agreeable  to  their  request. 

5th. 


46 


5th.  Resolved  unanimously,  That  a  Committee  of  this 
Town  be  chosen  to  meet  the  Committees  of  the  other 
Townships  in  this  County,  to  choose  a  Committee  of  Cor- 
respondence, aj^reeable  to  the  directions  of  the  said  Asso- 
ciation ;  accordingly,  Ebenezer  Foster,  Esquire,  Messrs. 
William  Smith,  and  Matthias  Baker,  were  chosen,  and 
are  hereby  instructed,  that  in  case  the  Assembly  of  New 
Jersey  do  not  appoint  Delegates  to  meet  the  Continental 
Congress  in  May  next,  they  meet  the  Committees  from 
the  other  Counties  of  this  Province,  in  Provincial  Con- 
gress, and  choose  them. 

John  Ross, 

Clerk. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  above  Committee  of  Observation 
for  the  township  of  Woodbridge,  the  10th  day  of  January, 
1775,  pursuant  to  advertisement ;  present,  sixteen  mem- 
bers : 

Ordered,  That  Ebenezer  Foster,  Esquire,  Messrs.  Jere- 
miah Manning,  Matthias  Baker,  Ellis  Barron,  and  John 
Conway,  wait  on  Messrs.  Joseph  Shotwell  and  kSons,  Mer- 
chants, immediately,  and  ask  them  if  they  are  disposed 
to  comply  with  the  Association  of  the  late  Continental 
Congress,  respecting  the  importation  of  Goods,  it  being 
represented  that  said  Shotwells  have  imported  sundry 
Goods  since  the  first  day  of  December  last. 

The  Deputies  aforesaid  returned  and  reported  to  the 
body  that  they  had  waited  on  Messrs.  Shotwells  accord- 
ing to  appointment,  who  assured  them  "  that  all  Goods 
"imported  by  their  house  since  the  first  of  December, 
"  remained  unopened  as  they  came  to  hand ;"  but  ob- 
served, "  that  as  said  Goods  were  imported  into  and 
"entered  at  New  York,  and  had  been  under  the  inspec- 
"tion  of  the  Committee  for  said  City,  they  did  not  come 
"under  the  inspection  of  this  Committee,  and  requested 
"the  favorable  construction  of  this  body,  and  the  inhab- 
"itants  in  general,  respecting  their  conduct  and  answer." 
The  Committee  in  consequence  of  said  report,  allow  that 
the  answer  of  Messrs.  Shotwells  is  satisfactory ;  and  are 
of  opinion  that  any  Goods  or  Merchandise  imported  into 
the  City  of  New  York,  which  may  even  escape  the  notice 
of  their  Committee,  are  not  subject  to  our  inspection. 

This 


47 


This  Committee  earnestly  recommend  to  all  Merchants 
and  Retailers  in  this  Township,  to  adhere  strictly  to  the 
ninth  Article  of  the  Association  respecting  the  sale  of 
Goods. 

And  we  do  farther  recommend  to  all  the  inhabitants 
of  this  Township,  a  strict  compliance  with  the  eighth 
Article  of  the  Association,  respecting  Frugality,  Economy 
and  Industry,  and  the  prohibition  of  all  kinds  of  Gaming. 

This  Committee  also  taking  into  consideration  the 
many  pieces  and  pamphlets  published  by  James  Riving- 
ton,  tending  to  frustrate  and  defame  the  proceedings  of 
the  late  Continental  Congress,  and  disunite  the  Colonies, 
are  of  opinion  that  he  is  a  person  inimical  to  the  liberties 
of  this  country,  and  as  such  ought  to  be  discountenanced  ; 
we  therefore  do  cordially  recommend  to  all  our  constitu- 
ents to  drop  his  Paper  and  have  no  further  dealings  with 
him. 

Voted,  That  these  Proceedings  be  published  in  Messrs. 
Holts'  and  Gaines'  Papers. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Committee. 

Reuben  Potter, 

Chairman. 


Morris  County  Meeting. 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  of  the  County  of  Mor- 
ris, at  Morristown,  on  Monday,  the  9th  day  of  January, 
1775. 

William  Winds,  Esquire,  Chairman. 

The 


48 


The  Committee  of  Correspondence,  for  the  County  of 
Morris,  having  produced  and  read  the  Association  of  the 
Continental  Congress,  the  same  was  deliberately  consid- 
ered by  the  whole  assembly,  and  by  them  unanimously 
approved  as  a  wise,  prudent  and  constitutional  mode  of 
opposition  to  the  late  several  tyrannical  and  oppressive 
Acts  of  the  British  Parliament.  Whereupon  they  unani- 
mously determined  strictly  to  abide  by  the  same,  and. 
gratefully  expressed  their  acknowledgments  and  hearty 
thanks  to  the  Delegates  of  this  Colony  for  their  great 
attention  to  the  rights  and  liberties  of  their  constituents, 
and  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  the  important  trust  re- 
posed in  them. 

The  assembly  then  unanimously  agreed  that  the  in- 
habitants of  each  several  Township  in  the  County  should 
meet  at  their  respective  places  of  holding  Town  Meet- 
ings, on  Monday,  the  23d  day  of  January,  instant, 
at  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  then  and  there  respect- 
tively  to  choose  (by  those  who  are  qualified  to  vote  for 
Representatives  in  the  Legislature)  a  Committee  of  Ob- 
servation, pursuant  to,  and  for  the  purposes  expressed  in 
the  eleventh  Article  of  the  said  Association.  After  which 
the  Committee  of  Correspondence  declared  to  the  assem- 
bly that  they  had  thought  proper  to'dissolve  themselves, 
in  order  that  their  constituents  might  have  an  opportunity 
of  a  new  choice,  and  that  they  were  dissolved  accordingly  : 
Whereupon  Jacob  Ford,  William  Winds,  and  Jonathan 
Stiles,  Esquires,  Messrs.  Jacob  Drake.  Peter  Dickerson,  and 
Ellis  Cook,  together  with  Samuel  Tuthill,  Doctor  Wil- 
liam Hart,  and  Abraham  Ogden,  Esquires,  were  elected  ; 
and  at  the  same  time  authorized  to  instruct  the  Repre- 
sentatives of  this  County,  when  convened  in  General 
Assembly,  to  join  in  the  appointment  of  Delegates  for 
this  Colony,  to  meet  in  General  Congress,  at  Philadelphia; 
but  if  the  said  Assembly  should  not  appoint  Delegates 
for  that  purpose  by  the  first  day  of  April  next,  then  the 
said  Committee  of  Correspondence  to  meet  with  the  sev- 
eral County  Committees  of  this  Colony,  and  appoint  the 
said  Delegates,  at  such  time  and  place  as  shall  be  agreed 
upon  by  the  said  Committees. 

The  assembly  afterwards  taking  into  consideration  the 

conduct 


49 


conduct  of  James  Rivington,  Printer  in  New  York,  in 
publishing  two  certain  Pamphlets:  the  one  entitled  "A 
Friendly  Address,"  &c.,  &c. ;  the  other  under  the  signature 
of  "A.  iV.  Farmer,"  and  several  others ;  all  containing  many 
falsehoods,  wickedly  calculated  to  divide  the  Colonies — 
to  deceive  the  ignorant,  and  to  cause  a  base  submission 
to  the  unconstitutional  measures  of  the  British  Parlia- 
ment for  enslaving  the  Colonies,  do  unanimously  resolve, 
that  they  esteem  the  said  James  Riviugton  an  enemy  to 
his  country  ;  and  therefore  that  they  will,  for  the  future, 
refrain  from  taking  his  Newspapers,  and  from  all  further 
commerce  with  him  ;  and  that,  by  all  lawful  means  in 
their  power,  they  will  discourage  the  circulation  of  his 
Papers  in  this  County. 


Hunterdon  County  Committee. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  several  Township  Committees  in 
the  County  of  Hunterdon,  and  Province  of  New  Jersey, 
held  at  John  Ringo's,  the  18th  day  of  January,  1775: 

Present,  sixty  members. 

John  Hart,  Esq.,  Chairman. 

The  Committee  taking  into  consideration  the  Proceed- 
ings of  the  late  Continental  Congress,  highly  approve 
thereof,  and  the  Association  entered  into  do  recommend 
and  will  abide  by,  and  thank  the  Delegates  for  their  firm 
and  steady  conduct. 

The  Committee  then  taking  into  their  consideration 
the  method  of  choosing  Delegates  for  this  Province,  to 
attend  at  Philadelphia,  the  10th  day  of  May  next,  or 

sooner. 


50 


sooner,  if  necessary,  in  Continental  Congress,  agreed  to 
adopt  the  measure  pursued  by  the  several  County  Com- 
mittees of  this  Province,  the  21st  day  of  July  last,  and 
do  recommend  that  the  several  County  Committees  meet 
at  Trenton,  on  Wednesday,  the  29th  day  of  March  next, 
unless  some  other  time  and  place  should  be  agreed  on  by 
a  majority  of  the  Counties  in  this  Province,  to  choose 
Delegates  for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  and  we  do  hereby 
appoint  Samuel  Tucker,  John  Mehelm,  John  Hart,  Daniel 
Hunt,  Jasper  Smith,  Charles  Coxe,  Richard  Stevens, 
Samuel  Johnson,  Esquires,  Messrs.  Thomas  Jones  and 
Thomas  Stout,  a  County  Committee  for  the  purpose  afore- 
said, who,  or  any  three  of  them,  are  also  appointed  a 
Committee  of  Correspondence,  and  a  majority  of  the 
whole  Committee  to  have  power  to  call  Committees  of 
the  several  townships  together,  at  such  times  and  places 
as  they  may  judge  necessary. 

This  Committee  to  continue  till  the  Proceedings  of  the 
next  Continental  Congress  be  published,  or  a  new  Com- 
mittee chosen. 

Samuel  Corwine, 

Clerk. 


Elizabethtown  Resolutions. 

February  13,  1775. 

Whereas,  the  inhabitants  of  Staten  Island  have  man- 
ifested an  unfriendly  disposition  towards  the  liberties  of 
America,  and  among  other  things  have  neglected  to  join 

in 


51 

in  the  General  Association  proposed  by  the  Continental 
Congress,  and  entered  into  hy  most  of  the  Townships  in 
America,  and  in  no  instance  haveacceeded  thereto.  The 
Committee  of  Observation  for  tliis  Town,  taking  the 
same  into  consideration,  are  of  opinion  that  the  inliab- 
itants  of  their  District  ought,  and  by  the  aforesaid  Asso- 
ciation are  bound,  to  break  off  all  trade,  commerce, 
dealings,  and  intercourse  whatsoever  with  the  inhabitants 
of  said  Island,  until  they  shall  join  in  the  General  Asso- 
ciation aforesaid  ;  and  do  Resolve  that  all  trade,  commerce, 
dealings  and  intercourse  whatsoever  be  suspended  ac- 
cordingly, which  suspension  is  hereby  notified  and 
recommended  to  the  inhabitants  of  their  District,  to  be 
by  them  universally  observed  and  adopted. 

G.  Ross, 
Clerk. 


Burlington  Committee. 

At  a  General  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  In- 
habitants of  the  City  and  County  of  Burlington,  in  New 
Jersey,  qualified  to  vote  for  Representatives  in  the  Legis- 
lature, held  at  the  Court  House,  on  Tuesday,  the  14th 
of  February,  1775. 

Peter  Tallman,  Esquire,  in  the  Chair. 

The  Association  entered  into  by  the  General  American 
Congress,  convened  at  Philadelphia  on  the  5th  of  Sep- 
tember last,  was  read  and  approved. 

Resolved,  That  in  pursuance  of  the  eleventh  Article  of 

the 


52 


tlie  said  Association,  a  Committee  of  Observation  for  this 
City  and  County  be  now  appointed,  for  the  purposes  in 
that  Article  mentioned  ;  and  the  following  persons  were 
accordingly  chosen,  viz. :  James  Sterling,  Colin  Camp- 
bell, William  Smith  and  Jonathan  Hough,  Esquires, 
John  Coates,  Thomas  Fennimore,  Thomas  Reynolds, 
Esquire,  Joseph  Budd,  Jonathan  Middleton,  Joseph  Bor- 
den, Esq.,  John  Wood,  William  Newbold,  Isaac  Pearson, 
Esq.,  Randle  Mitchell,  William  Lewis,  Peter  Tallman, 
Esq ,  William  Potts,  John  Black,  Joseph  Read,  Esq., 
Peter  Shiras,  Thomas  Budd,  Jun.,  Charles  Read,  Esq., 
John  Evans,  Josiah  Foster,  Joseph  Stokes,  Esquire, 
John  Cox,  Abraham  Hewlings,  Baldwin  Wake,  Esquire, 
Samuel  Newton,  Jacob  Perkins,  John  Leek,  Eli  Matthis 
and  William  Pharo. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Committee  shall  be  and  con- 
tinue for  one  year  from  this  time,  unless  the  measures  of 
the  next  General  Congress  shall  make  an  alteration  neces- 
sary. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Meeting. 

Peter  Tallman, 

Chairman. 


Hanover,  Morris  County,  Committee. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  the 
Township  of  Hanover,  in  the  County  of  Morris,  and 
Province  of  New  Jersey,  on  the  15th  day  of  February, 
Anno  Domini,  1775.  Present:  Matthias  Burnet,  Chair- 
man, Aaron  Kitchel,  Clerk;  David  Bruen,  Captain  Stephen 

Day, 


53 


Day,  Stephen  Munson,  Benjamin  Howel  and  Captain 
James  Kien. 

The  following  Resolutions  were  unanimously  entered 
into  : 

1st.  Resolved  unanimomly,  That  they  will  discourage 
all  unlawful,  tumultuous,  and  disorderly  meetings  of  the 
people  within  their  Districts,  and  upon  all  occasions 
exert  themselves  to  the  utmost  of  their  power,  and  oppose 
and  prevent  any  violence  offered  to  the  person  or  prop- 
erty of  any  one. 

^d.  Resolved  unanimously,  That  they  will  take  notice  of 
all  Horse-Racing,  Cock-Fighting  and  every  kind  of 
Gaming  whatsoever,  and  cause  the  offenders  to  be  prose- 
cuted according  to  law;  and  discourage  every  species  of 
extravagant  entertainments  and  amusements  whatsoever, 
agreeable  to  the  eighth  article  of  the  Association  of  the 
Continental  Congress. 

3d.  Resolved  unanimously.  That  this  Committee  will 
after  the  first  day  of  March  next,  esteem  it  a  violation  of 
the  seventh  article  of  the  said  Association  if  any  person 
or  persons  should  kill  any  Sheep  until  it  is  four  years 
old,  or  sell  any  such  Sheep  to  any  person  whom  he  or 
they  may  have  cause  to  suspect  will  kill  them,  or  carry 
them  to  market;  and  further,  that  they  will  esteem  it  a 
breach  of  said  article  if  any  inhabitant  of  this  Township 
should  sell  any  Sheep  of  any  kind  whatsoever,  to  any 
person  dwelling  out  of  this  County,  or  to  any  person  who 
they  may  have  cause  to  suspect  will  carry  them  out  of 
this  County,  without  leave  first  obtained  of  this  Com- 
mittee. 

4-th.  Resolved  unanimously,  That  we  do  recommend  to 
the  inhabitants  of  this  Township  the  cultivation  of  Flax 
and  Hemp,  to  the  greatest  extent  that  their  lands  and 
circumstances  will  admit  of. 

5th.  Resolved  unanimously.  That  from  several  Pam- 
phlets and  Publications  printed  by  James  Rivington,  of 
New  York,  Printer,  we  esteem  him  as  an  incendiary  em- 
ployed by  a  wicked  Ministry  to  disunite  and  divide  us  ; 
and  therefore  we  will  not,  for  ourselves,  have  any  con- 
nection or  dealings  with  him,  and  do  recommend  the 
same  conduct  towards  him  to  every  person  of  this  Town- 
ship ; 


54 


ship  ;  and  we  will  discountenance  any  Post-Rider,  Stage- 
Driver,  or  Carrier,  who  shall  bring  his  Pamphlets  or 
Papers  into  this  County. 

Gtli.  Resolved  unanimously,  That  if  any  Manufacturer  of 
an}'  article  made  for  home  consumption,  or  any  Vender 
of  Goods  or  Merchandises  in  this  Township  shall  take 
advantage  of  the  necessities  of  his  country,  by  selling  at 
an  unusual  price,  such  person  shall  be  considered  an  en- 
emy to  his  country;  and  do  recommend  it  to  the  inhabi- 
tants of  this  Township  to  remember  that  after  the  1st 
day  of  March  next  no  East  India  Tea  is  to  be  used  in 
any  case  whatsoever. 

7th.  Resolved  unanimously,  That  we  will  in  all  cases 
whatsoever,  and  at  all  events,  use  our  utmost  endeavours 
to  comply  with,  and  enforce  every  article  of  the  Associa- 
tion of  the  General  Continental  Congress. 


Woodbridge,  Middlesex  County,  Committee. 

The  Committee  of  Observation  for  the  Township  of 
Woodbridge  taking  into  consideration  the  conduct  of  the 
inhabitants  of  Staten  Island,  in  neglecting  or  refusing  to 
adopt  the  Association  of  the  General  Congress,  and  as  a 
number  of  said  inhabitants  daringly  attempted  by  force  to 
prevent  a  Ship's  returning  to  Europe,  which  arrived  with 
Goods  after  the  first  day  of  February,  by  which  the}'  have 
justly  incurred  the  displeasure  of  all  the  friends  of  liberty, 
we  think  it  a  duty  incumbent  on  us  to  publish  our  dislike 
of  such  hostile  measures,  and  suspend  all  trade,  dealings 

and 


55 


and  intercourse  with  them  till  they  join  the  Association 
aforesaid  ;  Therefore, 

Resolved  unanimously  That  we  will  from  this  day  break 
ofi"  and  suspend  all  trade,  dealings,  and  intercourse  with 
them,  and  will  use  every  lawful  means  in  our  power  to 
prevent  the  inhabitants  of  said  Island  getting  any  Tim- 
ber, Plank,  Iron,  &c.,  from  this  Town.  But  as  we  are 
unwilling  to  involve  the  innocent  with  the  guilty,  we 
except,  under  particular  restrictions,  such  of  them  as 
liave  openly  approved  of  the  Association,  and  are  will- 
ing to  adopt  it. 

And  we  do  earnestly  recommend  to  all  the  inhabitants 
of  this  Township  a  strict  observance  of  this  suspension, 
by  having  no  dealings  or  intercourse  with  the  inhabitants 
of  said  Island  till  they  retract  their  late  conduct,  and 
join  in  the  measures  recommended  by  the  Congress ; 
and  Messrs.  Matthias  Baker,  Samuel  Force,  William 
Smith,  John  Noe,  William  Cutler,  John  Conway,  John 
Ross,  and  Jeremiah  Manning,  are  appointed  Inspectors 
of  the  several  Publick  Landings  to  see  that  this  Resolve 
is  strictly  adhered  to. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Committee. 

John  Conway. 
Woodbridge,  February  20,  1775.  Clerk. 


Council 


Council  of  New  Jersey. 


Proceedings  of  his  Majesty's  Council  for  the  Province 
of  New  Jersey,  at  a  Session  of  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  said  Province,  begun  and  holden  at  the  City  of  Perth 
Amboy,  on  Wednesday,  the  eleventh  day  of  January,  in 
the  fifteenth  year  of  the  reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord 
King  George  the  Third,  Anno  Domini  1775. 


Friday,  January  13,  1775. 

The  House  met.  Present,  David  Ogden,  James  Parker, 
Esquires,  the  Chief  Justice,  Daniel  Coxe,  John  Lawrence, 
and  Francis  Hopkinson,  Esquires. 

His  Excellency  came  into  the  Council  Chamber,  and 
having,  by  the  Deputy  Secretary,  commanded  the  attend- 
ance of  the  House  of  Assembly,  the  Speaker  with  the 
House  attended,  when  his  Excellency  was  pleased  to 
make  a  Speech  to  both  Houses.  After  which  the  Speaker, 
with  the  House  of  Assembly,  withdrew. 


Wednesday,  January  18,  1775. 

The  House  met.  Present,  David  Ogden,  Esquire,  the 
Earl  of  Stirling,  John  Stevens,  James  Parker,  Esquires, 
the  Chief  Justice,  Richard  Stockton,  Daniel  Coxe,  John 
Lawrence,  and  Francis  Hopkinson,  Esquires. 

His  Excellency's  Speech  to  both  Houses,  at  the  open- 
ing of  this  session,  being  read. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Parker,  Mr.  Stockton  and  Mr.  Hop- 
kinson, be  a  committee  to  prepare  and  bring  in  a  draught 
of  an  Address  to  his  Excellency,  in  answer  to  the  said 
Speech. 

Tuesday, 


57 


Tuesday,  January  24,  1775. 

The  House  met.  Present,  David  Ogden,  John  Stevens, 
James  Parker,  Esquires,  the  Chief  Justice,  Richard  Stock- 
ton, Daniel  Coxe,  John  Lawrence  and  Francis  Hopkin- 
son,  Es(]uires. 

Mr.  Parker,  from  the  Committee  to  whom  it  was  re- 
ferred to  prepare  and  bring  in  a  draught  of  an  Address 
to  his  Excellency,  in  answer  to  his  Speech  at  the  open- 
ing of  the  session,  reported  that  the  said  Committee  had 
prepared  the  draught  of  an  Address,  which  he  was  ready 
to  report  when  the  House  would  be  pleased  to  receive 
the  same. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Report  be  made  immediately. 

Mr.  Parker  then  read  the  said  draught  in  his  place, 
and  delivered  it  in  at  the  table. 

And  the  said  draught  having  been  again  read,  and 
some  amendments  made  thereto. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Address  be  engrossed. 


Wednesday,  January  25,  1775. 

The  House  met.  Present,  Peter  Kemble,  David  Ogden, 
Esquires,  the  Earl  of  Srirling,  John  Stevens,  James  Par- 
ker, Esquires,  the  Chief  Justice,  Richard  Stockton,  Daniel 
Coxe,  John  Lawrence  and  Francis  Hopkinson,  Esq-iires. 

The  engrossed  Address  to  his  Excellency  being  read 
and  compared,  was  approved  by  the  House. 

Ordered,  That  the  Speaker  do  sign  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Coxe  and  Mr.  Hopkinson  wait  upon 
his  Excellency,  and  request  to  know  when  he  will  be 
pleased  to  receive  the  Address  of  the  House. 

Mr.  Coxe  reported  that  Mr.  Hopkinson  and  himself 
had  obeyed  the  order  of  the  House,  and  that  his  Excel- 
lency was  pleased  to  say  the  House  should  hear  from 
him. 


Thursday,  January  26,  1775, 

The  House  met.    Present,  Peter  Kimble,  David  Ogden, 

Esquires, 


« 


58 


Esquires,  the  Earl  of  Stirling,  John  Stevens,  James  Par- 
ker, the  Cliief  Justice,  Daniel  Coxe,  John  Lawrence  and 
Francis  Ho})kinson,  Esquires. 

His  Excellency  came  into  the  Council  Chamber,  and 
having  signified  that  he  was  ready  to  receive  the  Address 
of  this  House,  the  House  attended,  and  by  their  Speaker 
presented  the  following  Address,  viz. : 

To  his  Excellency  William  Franklin,  Esquire,  Captain- Gen- 
eral, Governour  and  Commander-in-Chief  in  and  over  his 
Majesty's  Province  of  New  Jersey,  and  Territories  thereon  de- 
pending in  America,  Chancellor  and  Vice  Admiral  in  the 
same,  &c. 

The  humble  Address  of  His  Majesty's  Council  of  the 
said  Province  : 

Alay  it  Please  Your  Excellency : — We  his  Majesty's  most 
dutiful  and  loyal  subjects,  the  Council  of  the  Province  of 
New  Jersey,  beg  leave  to  return  your  Excellency  our 
thanks  for  your  Speech  at  the  opening  of  this  session, 
and  to  express  our  obligations  for  having  given  us  so 
early  an  opportunity  of  transacting  tlie  publick  business  ; 
and  that  you  have  been  pleased  therein  to  consult  our 
convenience: 

We  agree  with  your  Excellency  that  it  would  argue  not 
only  a  great  want  of  duty  to  his  Majesty,  but  of  regard 
to  the  good  people  of  this  Province,  were  we,  on  this  occa- 
sion, to  pass  over  in  silence  the  present  alarming  trans- 
actions which  are  so  much  the  object  of  publick  attention ; 
and  therefore  beg  leave  to  assure  you,  that,  feeling  our- 
selves strongly  influenced  by  zealous  attachment  to  the 
interests  of  Great  Britain  and  her  Colonies,  and  deeply 
impressed  with  a  sense  of  the  important  connection  they 
have  with  each  other,  we  shall,  with  all  sincere  loyalty 
to  our  most  gracious  Sovereign,  and  all  due  regard  to  the 
true  welfare  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  Province,  endeavour 
to  prevent  mischiefs  which  the  present  situation  of  affairs 
seems  to  threaten ;  and  by  our  zeal  for  the  authority  of 
Government  on  the  one  hand,  and  for  the  constitutional 
rights  of  the  people  on  the  other,  aim  at  restoring  that 
health  of  the  political  body,  which  every  good  subject 
must  earnestly  desire. 

Your 


59 


Your  Excellency  may  be  assured  that  we  will  exert  our 
utmost  influence,  both  in  our  publick  and  private  capaci- 
ties, to  restore  that  liarmony  between  the  parent  state 
and  his  Majesty's  American  Dominions,  which  is  so 
essential  to  the  happiness  and  prosperity  of  the  whole 
Empire ;  and  earnestly  looking  for  that  happy  event,  we 
will  endeavour  to  preserve  peace  and  good  order  among 
the  people,  and  a  dutiful  submission  to  the  laws. 

To  which  his  Excellency  was  pleased  to  reply  in  the 
words  following,  viz: 

Gentlemen  : — I  heartily  thank  you  for  this  Address. 
Your  sentiments  concerning  the  present  alarming  trans- 
actions ;  your  expressions  of  zealous  attachment  to  the 
interests  of  Great  Britain  and  her  Colonies;  your  prom- 
ises to  exert  your  utmost  influence  to  restore  harmony 
between  them,  and  to  preserve  peace,  good  order,  and  a 
dutiful  submission  to  the  laws,  are  such  as  evince  your 
loyalty  to  the  most  gracious  of  Sovereigns,  and  your  re- 
gard for  the  true  welfare  of  the  people.  Their  constitu- 
tional rights  will  ever  be  found  best  supported  by  a  strict 
obedience  to  the  laws  and  authority  of  "Government. 
AVhenever  that  barrier  is  broken  down,  anarchy  and 
confusion,  with  all  their  attendant  evils,  will  most  assur- 
edly enter  and  destroy  all  the  blessings  of  civil  society. 

Friday,  February  10,  1775,  4  o'clock  P.  M. 

The  House  met.  Present — Peter  Kemble,  Esquire,  the 
Earl  of  Stirling,  John  Stevens,  Esquire,  the  Chief  Justice, 
Richard  Stockton,  Stephen  Skinner,  and  Daniel  Coxe, 
Esquires. 

Mr.  Coxe  in  his  place  acquainted  the  House  that  he  had 
received  information  that  James  Murdock,  of  the  City  of 
Perth  Amboy,  Sureeon,  had  presumed  to  send  a  challenge 
to  one  of  the  Members  of  this  House,  sitting  as  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  this  Colony,  and  moved  the  House  that 
the  said  Member  be  called  upon  to  produce  the  Letter 
containing  the  said  challenge. 

"Whereupon, 


GO 


Whereupon,  by  order  of  the  House,  the  said  Letter  was 
produced,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  viz: 

My  Lord: — It  is  needless  to  repeat  your  Lordship's 
behaviour  last  night.  Mr.  Murdock  now  desires  of  your 
Lordship  time  and  place  to  have  the  satisfaction  of  a 
gentleman. 

I  am  your  Lordship's  most  obedient  servant. 

Jas.  Murdock. 

Friday  morning. 

Superscribed,  "This  to  Lord  Stirling." 

Resolved  unanimously.  That  the  said  Letter  is  a  most 
audacious  insult  to  Lord  Stirling  ;  and  that  sending  the 
same  to  him  during  the  sitting  of  General  Assembly  of 
this  Colony,  is  a  daring  contempt  of  the  authority,  and 
a  manifest  violation  of  the  rights  and  privileges  of  this 
House. 

Ordered,  therefore,  That  the  Speaker  do  issue  his  War- 
rant, directed  to  the  Sergeant-at-Arms,  commanding  him 
to  apprehend  and  bring  the  said  James  Murdock  forth- 
with before  the  House,  to  answer  for  the  said  contempt. 

The  House  being  informed  that  James  Murdock  was 
attending  at  the  door  in  custody  of  the  Sergeant-at-Arms, 

Ordered,  That  he  be  brought  in. 

And  on  his  appearance  before  the  House,  and  the  said 
Letter  being  shown  to  him,  he  acknowledged  that  he 
wrote  and  sent  the  same  as  directed,  and  that  he  meant 
it  as  a  challenge;  but  said  he  liad  done  it  in  the  heat  of 
passion,  that  he  was  sensible  he  had  done  exceedingly 
wrong,  and  was  sorry  for  his  indiscretion ;  and  he  was 
ready  to  make  such  farther  acknowledgments  as  the 
House  should  be  pleased  to  direct. 

Ordered,  That  the  Sergeant-at-Arms  withdraw  with  the 
said  James  Murdock,  and  that  he  remain  in  his  custody 
till  farther  orders. 


Saturday,  February  11,  1775. 

The  House  met.  Present,  Peter  Kemble,  Esquire,  the 
Earl  of  Stirling,  John  Stevens,  Esquire,  the  Chief  Justice, 

Richard 


61 


Richard  Stockton,  Stephen  Skinner,  and  Daniel  Coxe, 
Esquires. 

The  House  resumed  the  consider  ition  of  the  Insult  and 
Breach  of  Privilege  committed  by  James  Murdock. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Murdock  be  brought  up  before 
this  House  by  the  Sergeant-at-Arms,  and  that  he  receive 
such  reprimand  and  admonition  from  the  Speaker,  as  the 
nature  of  his  offence  requires;  and  that  he  be  also  com- 
manded to  make  such  submission  and  acknowledgement 
of  his  offence,  as  may  be  satisfactory  as  well  to  the  House 
as  to  Lord  Stirling. 

Whereupon,  the  said  James  Murdock  was  accordingly 
brought  before  the  House,  in  the  custody  of  the  Sergeant- 
at-Arms,  and  being  reprimanded  and  admonished  did 
declare  his  unfeigned  sorrow  for  the  insult  by  him  off"ered 
to  the  Plouse,  thanked  the  House  for  their  lenity  towards 
him,  and  with  the  fullest  acknowledgments  of  his  sub- 
mission to  the  House,  implored  their  pardon  and  forgive- 
ness, as  well  for  the  publick  insult  off"ered  to  them,  as  for 
the  affront  to  Lord  Stirling. 

Whereupon  he  was  ordered  to  be  discharged  from  cus- 
tody, on  paying  the  accustomed  Fees  to  the  Sergeant-at- 
Arms, 


Monday,  February  13,  1775. 

The  House  met.  Present,  the  Earl  of  Stirling,  John 
Stevens,  Esquire,  the  Chief  Justice,  Stephen  Skinner,  and 
Daniel  Coxe,  Esquires. 

A  Message  from  the  House  of  Assembly,  by  Mr.  Fisher 
and  Mj.  Eldridge,  informing  this  House  that  the  House 
of  Assembly  have  no  further  business  before  this  House, 
and  that  the  House  have  no  objection  to  such  application 
being  made  for  a  dismission. 

To  which  the  Speaker  answered  that  there  was  no  fur- 
ther business  before  this  House,  and  that  the  House  have 
no  objection  to  such  application  being  made  for  a  dis- 
mission. 

Afternoon. 


62 


Afternoon. 


The  House  met.  Present,  the  Earl  of  Stirling,  John 
Stevens,  Esquire,  the  Chief  Justice,  Stephen  Skinner  and 
Daniel  Coxe,  Esquires. 

The  Speaker,  with  the  House  of  Assembly,  came  into 
the  Council  Chamber,  when  the  Deputy  Secretary  read 
to  both  Houses  his  Majesty's  Proclamation,  proroguing 
the  General  Assembly  to  Tuesday,  the  fourteenth  day  of 
March  next,  then  to  meet  at  the  City  of  Burlington. 


Assembly 


Assembly  of  New  Jersey. 


Votes  and  Proceedings  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Colony  of  New  Jersey,  at  a  session  began  at  Perth  Amboy, 
on  Wednesday,  January  11,  1775,  and  continued  until 
the  loth  day  of  February  following,  being  the  third  ses- 
sion of  the  twenty-second  Assembly  of  New  Jersey. 

NAMES  OP  THE  REPRESENTATIVES. 

City  of  Perth  Amboy — Cortland  Skinner,  Speaker,  and 
John  Combs. 

County  of  Middlesex — John  Wetherill. 

Monmouth — Edward  Taylor  and  Richard  Lawrence, 

Essex — Stephen  Crane  and  Henry  Garritse. 

Somerset — Hendrick  Fisher  and  John  Roy. 

Bergen— Theunis  Dey  and  John  Demarest. 

Morris — Jacob  Ford  and  William  Winds. 

City  of  Burlington — James  Kinsey  and  Thomas  P. 
Hewlings. 

County  of  Burlington — Henry  Paxson  and  Anthony 
Sykes. 

Gloucester — John  Hinchman  and  Robert  F.  Price. 
Salem — Grant  Gibbon  and  Benjamin  Holme. 
'   Cape  May — Jonathan  Hand  and  Eli  Eldridge. 
Hunterdon — Samuel  Tucker  and  John  Mehelm. 
Cijmberland — John  Sheppard  and  Theophilus  Elmer. 
Sussex — Nathaniel  Pettit. 


Perth  Amboy,  Wednesday,  January  11,  1775. 

Pursuant  to  his  Excellency's  several  prorogations  of 
the  General  Assembly  from  time  to  time  till  this  day,  the 
House  met,  and,  for  want  of  a  sufficient  number  of  Mem- 
bers to  proceed  upon  business,  adjourned  till  to-morrow 
morning,  ten  o'clock. 

Thursday, 


64 


Thursday,  January  12,  1775.  > 

Tlie  House  met. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Kinsey  and  Mr.  Combs  do  wait  on 
liis  Excellency  and  acquaint  him  that  a  sufficient  num- 
ber of  members  to  proceed  upon  business,  are  now  met, 
and  are  ready  to  receive  anything  he  may  please  to  lay 
before  them. 

Mr.  Kinsey  reported  that  Mr.  Combs  and  himself  waited 
on  the  Governor,  pursuant  to  the  order  of  the  House,  who 
was  pleased  to  say  the  House  should  hear  from  him. 

Friday,  January  13,  1775. 

Mr.  Kinsey  laid  before  the  House  a  duplicate  of  his 
Majesty's  allowance  of  the  Act  entitled  "An  Act  for  estab- 
"lishing  the  Boundary  or  Partition  Line  between  the 
"  Colonies  of  New  York  and  Nova-Caesarea  or  New  Jer- 
"sey,  and  for  confirming  the  Titles  and  Possessions." 

A  Message  from  his  Excellency,  by  Mr.  Deputy  Secre- 
tary Petti  t : 

Mr.  Speaker  : — His  Excellency  is  in  the  Council 
Chamber,  and  requires  the  immediate  attendance  of  this 
House. 

Whereupon  Mr.  Speaker  left  the  Chair,  and  with  the 
House  went  to  wait  upon  his  Excellency  ;  and  being  re- 
turned Mr.  Speaker  resumed  the  Chair,  and  reported  that 
the  House  had  waited  on  his  Excellency,  who  was  pleased 
to  make  a  Speech  to  the  Council  and  House  of  Assembly, 
of  which  Mr.  Speaker  said  he  had,  to  prevent  mistakes, 
obtained  a  copy,  and  the  same,  by  order  of  the  House, 
was  read,  and  is  as  follows,  viz : 

Gentlemen  of  the  Council  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Assembly : 

Although  not  more  than  ten  months  have  elapsed 
since  your  last  meeting  in  General  Assembly;  yet,  as 
there  are  several  matters  of  importance  which  require 
the  particular  attention  of  the  Legislature,  I  have  thought 
it  proper  to  give  you  as  early  an  opportunity  of  transact- 


65 


ing  tlie  publick  business,  as  was  consistent  vvitli  your  con- 
veniency. 

Gentlemen  of  the  Assembly  : 

Tlie  support  of  Government  having  been  expired  ever 
since  the  first  of  October,  I  must  recommend  that  matter 
to  your  early  consideration. 

The  Barrack-master's  accounts  for  the  expenditure  of 
the  money  granted  last  year  for  the  supply  of  the  King's 
Troops,  shall  be  laid  before  you  as  soon  as  they  can  be 
prepared. 

Gentlemen  of  the  Council  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Assembly  : 

It  would  argue  not  only  a  great  want  of  duty  to  his 
Majesty,  but  of  regard  to  the  good  people  of  this  Province, 
were  I,  on  this  occasion,  to  pass  over  in  silence  the  late 
alarming  transactions  in  this  and  the  neighboring  Colo- 
nies, or  not  endeavour  to  prevail  on  you  to  exert  yourselves 
in  preventing  those  mischiefs  to  this  country,  which, 
without  your  timely  interposition,  will  in  all  probability, 
be  the  consequence. 

It  is  not  for  me  to  decide  on  the  particular  merits  of 
the  dispute  between  Great  Britain  and  her  Colonies;  nor 
do  I  mean  to  censure  those  who  conceive  themselves 
aggrieved,  for  aiming  at  a  redress  of  their  grievances  ;  it 
is  a  duty  they  owe  themselves,  their  country  and  their 
posterity.  All  that  I  wish  to  guard  you  against,  is  the  giving 
any  countenance  or  encouragement  to  that  destructive 
mode  of  proceeding  which  has  been  unhappily  adopted  in 
part  by  some  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  Colony :  and  has 
been  carried  so  far  in  others,  as  totally  to  subvert  their 
former  Constitution.  It  has  already  struck  at  the  au- 
thority of  one  of  the  branches  of  the  Legislature,  in  a 
particular  manner.  And  if  you,  gentlemen  of  the  As- 
sembly, should  give  your  approbation  to  transactions  of 
this  nature,  you  will  do  as  much  as  lies  in  your  power  to 
destroy  that  form  of  Government  of  which  you  are  an 
important  part,  and  which  it  is  your  duty,  by  all  lawful 
means,  to  preserve.  To  you  your  constituents  have  en- 
trusted 

6 


66 


trusted  a  peculiar  guardianship  of  their  rights  and  privi- 
leges. You  are  their  legal  Representatives,  and  you  can- 
not, without  a  manifest  breach  of  your  trust,  suffer  any 
body  of  men,  in  this  or  any  of  the  other  Provinces,  to 
usurp  and  exercise  any  of  the  powers  vested  in  you  by 
the  Constitution.  It  behooves  you  particularly,  who 
must  be  constitutionally  supposed  to  speak  the  sense  of 
the  people  at  large,  to  be  extremely  cautious  in  consent- 
ing to  any  act  whereby  you  may  engage  them  as  parties 
in,  and  make  them  answerable  for  measures  which  may 
have  a  tendency  to  involve  them  in  difficulties  far  greater 
than  those  they  aim  to  avoid. 

Besides,  there  is  not,  gentlemen,  the  least  necessity, 
consequently  there  will  not  be  the  least  excuse  for  your 
running  any  such  risks  on  the  present  occasion.  If  you 
are  really  disposed  to  represent  to  the  King  any  incon- 
veniences you  conceive  yourselvs  to  lie  under,  or  to  make 
any  propositions  on  the  present  state  of  America,  I  can 
assure  you  from  the  best  authority,  that  such  representa- 
tions or  propositions  will  be  properly  attended  to,  and 
certainly  have  greater  weight  coming  from  each  Colony 
in  its  separate  capacity,  than  in  a  channel,  of  the  pro- 
priety and  legality  of  which  there  may  be  much  doubt. 

You  have  now  pointed  out  to  jou,  gentlemen,  two 
roads,  one  evidently  leading  to  peace,  happiness  and  a 
restoration  of  the  publick  tranquility,  and  the  other  in- 
evitably conducting  you  to  anarchy,  misery,  and  all  the 
horrours  of  a  civil  war.  Your  wisdom,  your  prudence, 
your  regard  for  the  true  interests  of  the  people,  will  be 
best  known  when  you  have  shown  to  which  road  you 
give  the  preference.  If  to  the  former,  you  will  probably 
afford  satisfaction  to  the  moderate,  the  sober,  and  the 
discreet  part  of  your  constituents.  If  to  the  latter,  you 
will,  perhaps,  for  a  time,  give  pleasure  to  the  warm,  the 
rash,  and  the  inconsiderate  among  them,  who,  I  would 
willingly  hope,  violent  as  is  the  temper  of  the  present 
times,  are  not  even  now  the  majority.  But  it  may 
be  well  for  you  to  remember,  should  any  calamity 
hereafter  befall  them  from  your  compliance  with  their 
inclinations,  instead  of  pursuing  as  you  oughi ,  the  dic- 
tates of  your  own  judgment,  that  the  consequences  of 

their 


67 


their  returning  to  a  proper  sense  of  their  conduct,  may 
prove  deservedly  fatal  to  yourselves. 

I  shall  say  no  more  at  present  on  this  disagreeahle  sub- 
ject, but  only  to  repeat  an  observation  I  made  to  a  former 
Assembly,  on  a  similar  occasion :  "  Every  breach  of  the 
"  Constitution,  whether  it  proceeds  from  the  Crown  or  the 
"  People,  is  in  its  effects  equally  destructive  to  the  rights 
"of  both."  It  is  the  duty,  therefore,  of  those  who  are 
entrusted  with  Government,  to  be  equally  careful  in 
guarding  against  encroachments  fi«om  the  one  as  the 
other.  But  it  is,  says  one  of  the  wisest  of  men,  a  most 
infallible  symptom  of  the  dangerous  state  of  liberty, 
when  the  chief  men  of  a  free  country  show  a  greater 
regard  to  popularity  than  to  their  own  judgment. 

Wm.  Franklin. 

Council  Chamber,  January  13,  1775. 

Ordered,  That  his  Excellency's  Speech  be  read  a  second 
time. 


Saturday,  January  14,  1775. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Wetherill,  Mr.  Crane,  Mr.  Fisher, 
Mr.  Taylor,  Mr.  Ford,  Mr.  Kinsey,  Mr.  Price,  Mr.  Tucker, 
Mr.  Sheppard  and  Mr.  Hand  be  and  they  are  hereby  ap- 
pointed a  Committee  of  Grievances,  and  they  or  any 
three  of  them,  may  meet  together  at  such  times  and 
places  as  they  or  any  three  of  them  shall  think  proper 
to  appoint,  either  during  the  sitting  of  the  Assembly,  or 
at  any  other  time,  and  make  report  of  their  proceedings 
to  the  House. 


Monday,  January  16,  1775. 

His  Excellency's  Speech  was  read  the  second  time,  and 
committed  to  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House. 

Ordered,  That  the  Committee  sit  to-morrow  morning. 

Tuesday, 


68 


Tuesday,  January  17,  1775. 

Tlie  House,  according  to  order,  resolved  itself  into  a 
Coramitteeof  the  Whole  House  on  his  Excellency's  Speech, 
and  after  some  time  spent  therein,  Mr.  Speaker  resumed 
the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Fisher,  Chairman  of  the  Committee 
reported  that  the  Committee  had  made  some  progress  in 
the  matters  to  them  referred,  and  desired  leave  to  sit 
again,  to  which  the  House  agreed. 


Friday,  January  20, 1775. 

The  House  again  according  to  order,  resolved  itself 
into  a  Committee  of  the  Wiiole  House,  on  his  Excel- 
lency's Speech  ;  and  after  some  time  spent  therein,  Mr. 
Speaker  resumed  the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Fisher,  Chairman 
of  the  Committee,  reported  that  they  had  made  some  far- 
ther progress  in  the  matters  to  them  referred,  and  had 
come  to  two  Resolutions,  which  he  was  ready  to  report 
whenever  the  House  would  please  to  receive  the  same, 
and  that  the  Committee  desired  leave  to  sit  again. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Report  be  made  immediately, 
and  that  the  Committee  have  leave  to  sit  again. 

Whereupon,  Mr.  Fisher  reported  the  Resolutions  of 
the  Committee  as  follows: 

1.  Resolved,  That  an  humble  Address  be  presented  to 
bis  Excellency,  in  answer  to  his  Speech. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

S.  Resolved,  That  the  Government  of  this  Colony  be 
honourably  supported  from  the  first  day  of  October,  1774, 
to  the  first  day  of  October,  1775. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

Saturday,  January  21,  1775. 

The  House  again,  according  to  order,  resolved  itself 
into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House  on  his  Excellency's 
Speech  ;  and  after  some  time  spent  therein,  Mr.  Speaker 
resumed  the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Fisher,  Chairman  of  the 
Committee,  reported  that  they  had  made  some  further 

progress 


C)9 

f>rogress  in  the  matters  to  them  referred,  and  desired 
eave  to  sit  again ;  to  which  the  House  agreed. 

Monday,  January  23,  1775. 

The  House  again,  according  to  order,  resolved  itself 
into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House  on  his  Excellency's 
Speech  ;  and  after  some  time  spent  therein,  Mr.  Speaker 
resumed  the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Fisher,  Chairman  of  the 
Committee,  reported  that  they  had  made  some  further 
progress  in  the  matters  to  them  referred,  and  desired 
leave  to  sit  again ;  to  which  the  House  agreed. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Wetherill,  Mr.  Kinsey,  Mr.  Fisher, 
Mr.  Lawrence  and  Mr.  Crane,  be  a  Committee  to  prepare 
and  bring  in  the  draught  of  an  Address  to  his  Excellency, 
in  answer  to  his  Speech. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Price,  Mr.  Tucker,  Mr.  Dey,  Mr. 
Sheppard,  Mr.  Roy,  Mr.  Sykes,  and  Mr.  Elmer,  be  a  Com- 
mittee to  bring  in  a  Bill  for  support  of  Government. 

Tuesday,  January  24,  1775. 

Mr.  Crane  and  Mr.  Kinsey  laid  before  the  House  the 
following  Memorial,  which  was  read,  and  is  as  follows,  to 
wit : 

To  the  Honorable  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Colony 
of  New  Jersey,  in  General  Assembly  met  : 

Gentlemen  : — We  the  subscribers,  having  been  ap- 
pointed and  requested  by  the  Committees  of  the  seveial 
Counties  in  this  Colony,  including  a  majority  of  the 
Members  of  your  House,  to  represent  the  Colony  of  New 
Jersey  in  the  Continental  Congress  of  Delegates  from 
the  other  American  Colonies,  at  Philadelphia,  in  Septem- 
ber last,  beg  leave  to  report  to  the  House  that  we  attended 
the  said  Congress,  and  did  everything  in  our  power  to 
answer  the  intention  of  our  appointment;  and  hope  and 
trust  that  the  Proceedings  of  the  said  Congress,  which 

we 


70 


we  now  lay  before  you  for  your  consideration,  will  re- 
ceive your  ap{)robation,  and  have  the  desired  effect  in 
producing  that  peace,  happiness,  liarmony,  and  confi- 
dence,  between  Great   Britain   and   the  Colonies,  so  " 
ardently  wished  for  by  all  good  men. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servants. 

James  Kinsey,  William  Livingston, 

Stephen  Crane,         John  DeHart. 
January  11,  1775. 

Mr.  Crane  and  Mr.  Kinsey  also  laid  before  the  House 
the  Proceedings  of  the  Continental  Congress,  held  at 
Philadelphia,  in  September  last,  which  were  read.  On 
the  question,  whether  the  House  approve  of  the  said 
Proceedings?    It  passed  in  the  affirraative. 

Resolved,  That  this  House  do  unanimously  approve  of 
the  Proceedings  of  the  Congress  ;  such  as  are  of  the  peo- 
ple called  Quakers,  excepting  only  to  such  parts  as  seem 
to  wear  an  appearance,  or  may  have  a  tendency  to  force, 
(if  any  such  there  be,)  as  inconsistent  with  their  religious 
principles. 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  James  Kinsey,  Stephen 
Crane,  William  Livingston,  John  DeHart,  and  Richard 
Smith,  Esquires,  or  an}'  three  of  them,  be  and  they  are 
hereby  appointed  to  attend  the  Continental  Congress  of 
the  Colonies,  intended  to  be  held  at  the  City  of  Philadel- 
phia, in  May  next,  or  at  any  other  time  and  place;  and 
that  they  report  their  proceedings  to  the  next  session  of 
the  General  Assembly  ;  instructing  the  said  Delegates  to 
propose  and  agree  to  every  reasonable  and  constitutional 
measure  for  the  accommodation  of  the  unhappy  differ- 
ences at  present  subsisting  between  our  mother  country 
and  the  Colonies,  which  the  House  most  ardenly  wish 
for. 

The  House  also  being  informed,  that  at  the  Congress 
held  at  Philadelphia,  the  6th  of  September  last,  a  motion 
was  made  to  give  some  of  the  Colonies  a  greater  number 
of  votes  in  the  determination  of  questions  to  be  agitated 
therein,  than  to  others;  and  conceiving  such  motion  to 
be  of  dangerous  consequence,  do  also  instruct  their  Dele- 
gates not  to  agree  to  a  measure  of  that  kind,  unless  it 

should 


71 


should  be  agreed  at  the  same  time  that  no  vote  to  be 
taken  on  sucli  principles  shall,  in  future,  be  obligatory 
on  any  Colonies  whose  Delegates  do  not  consent  thereto. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Speaker  do  transmit  a  coi)y  of  the 
foregoing  Resolutions  to  the  Sf)eakers  of  the  Assemblies 
of  New  York  and  Pennsylvania. 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  the  Thanks  of  this  House 
be  given  to  James  Kinsey,  Stephen  Crane,  William  Liv- 
ingston, John  De  Hart,  and  Richard  Smith,  Esquires, 
for  their  faithful  and  judicious  discharge  of  the  trust 
reposed  in  them  at  the  late  Continental  Congress, 

Wednksday,  January  25,  1775. 

The  House  again,  according  to  order,  resolved  itself 
into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House  on  his  Excellency's 
Speecli ;  and  after  some  time  spent  therein,  Mr.  Speaker 
resumed  the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Fisher,  Chairman  of  the 
Committee,  reported  that  they  have  gone  through  the 
matters  to  them  referred,  and  have  come  to  one  more 
Resolution,  which  he  was  ready  to  report  whenever  the 
House  would  please  to  receive  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  the  Report  be  made  immediately. 

Whereupon  Mr.  Fisher  reported  the  Resolution  of  the 
Committee,  as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  an  humble  Petition  be  presented  to  his 
most  gracious  Majesty,  praying  a  redress  of  Grievances 
under  which  this  and  the  neighbouring  Colonies  now 
labour ;  to  which  the  House  agreed. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Wetherill,  Mr.  Fisher,  Mr.  Ford,  Mr. 
Tucker,  and  Mr.  Sheppard  be  a  Committee  to  prepare 
and  bring  in  a  Petition  accordingly. 

Friday,  January  27,  1775. 

Mr.  Tucker,  from  the  Committee  appointed  for  that 
purpose,  brought  in  a  Bill,  entitled  "  An  Act  for  Support 
"  of  Government  of  his  Majesty's  Colony  of  New  Jersey," 
&c.,  which  was  read  and  ordered  to  a  second  reading. 

Monday, 


72 


Monday,  January  30,  1775. 

Mr.  Wetlierill,  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  pre- 
pare the  draught  of  an  Address  to  his  Excellency, 
brouglit  in  a  draught,  which  was  read  and  ordered  a 
second  reading. 

Tuesday,  January  31,  1775, 

A  Message  from  his  Excellency,  by  the  Deputy  Secre- 
tary, which  was  read,  and  is  as  follows : 

Gentlemen  : — I  send  you  the  Barrack-master's  Ac- 
counts of  Expenses  incurred  for  the  repair  of  the  Bar- 
racks and  supply  of  the  King's  Troops,  including  furni- 
ture, bedding,  &c.,  from  June,  1773,  to  December,  1774, 
by  which  you  will  see  in  what  manner  the  money  has 
been  expended,  which  I  was  authorized  by  law  to  draw 
out  of  the  Treasury  for  that  service.  There  is  a  balance 
remaining  in  my  hands  of  about  thirty-four  Pounds, 
eight  Shillings  and  six  Pence,  Proclamation  Money. 

As  the  House  had  some  objections  last  session  to  the 
charge  in  Colonel  Robertson's  Account  for  Sheets  furn- 
ished the  King's  Troops,  I  directed  the  Barrack-master 
not  to  pay  that  article  of  the  Account,  and  to  acquaint 
the  Colonel  with  the  occasion.  I  now  lay  before  you  a  letter 
from  the  Colonel  on  that  head,  which  appears  to  me  to 
contain  so  many  just  reasons  why  the  charge  ought  to 
be  allowed  by  the  Province,  that  I  cannot  but  recom- 
mend it  to  your  particular  consideration. 

Wm.  Franklin. 

January  30th,  1775. 

The  Secretary  also  laid  before  the  House  the  Accounts 
mentioned  in  the  Message. 

Ordered,  That  his  Excellency's  Message  have  a  second 
reading. 

The  draught  of  an  Address  to  his  Excellency  was  read 
the  second  time. 

Ordered, 


73 


Ordered,  Tliat  the  same  be  referred  to  a  Committee  of 
the  Whole  House. 

Whereupon,  the  House  resolved  itself  into  a  Commit- 
tee of  the  Whole  House  on  the  Address  to  his  Excellency  ; 
and  after  some  time  spent  therein,  Mr.  Speaker  resumed 
the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Fisher,  Chairman  of  the  Committee, 
reported  that  the  Committee  had  gone  through  the  Ad- 
dress to  his  Excellency,  and  had  made  several  amend- 
ments thereto,  which  he  was  ready  to  report  whenever 
the  House  would  please  to  receive  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  the  Report  be  made  immediately. 

Whereupon,  Mr.  Fisher  reported  the  Address  with  sev- 
eral amendments;  and  the  same  being  read. 

Ordered  unanimously,  Tliat  the  said  Address  be  en- 
grossed. 

Wednesday,  February  1,  1775. 

The  engrossed  Address  to  his  Excellency  was  read  and 
compared. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Speaker  do  sign  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Kinsey  and  Mr.  Combs  do  wait  on 
his  Excellency,  and  desire  to  know  when  he  will  please 
to  be  waited  on  by  the  House  with  their  Address. 

Mr.  Kinsey  reported  that  Mr.  Combs  aiid  himself 
waited  on  his  Excellency  with  the  Message  of  the  House, 
who  was  pleased  to  say  the  House  should  hear  from  him. 

Fkiday,  February  3,  1775. 

A  Petition  was  presented  from  a  number  of  Inhabitants 
of  Nottingham,  in  the  County  of  Burlington,  praying  the 
House  will  take  some  measures  to  settle  the  unhappy 
disputes  between  Great  Britain  and  the  Colonies,  which 
was  read  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

On  motion  made,  it  is  the  opinion  of,  and  this  House 
do  advise,  that  the  present  Committee  of  Correspondence 
may  draw  any  part  of  the  sum  of  one  thousand  Pounds, 
made  subject  to  their  order  by  an  Act  passed  at  the  last 

session, 


74 


session,  not  exceeding  three  hundred  Pounds,  to  pay  the 
expenses  of  the  Delegates  appointed  by  this  House  to 
attend  the  intended  Congress  and  that  this  House  will 
allow  thereof. 

A  Message  from  his  Excellency,  by  Mr.  Deputy  Secre- 
tary Petti  t : 

Mr.  Speaker  : — His  Excellency  is  in  the  Council 
Chamber,  and  ready  to  receive  the  Address  of  the  House. 

"Whereupon,  Mr.  Speaker  left  the  Chair,  and  with  the 
House  went  to  wait  upon  his  Excellency  ;  and  being  re- 
turned, Mr.  Speaker  resumed  the  Chair,  and  reported 
that  the  House  had  waited  on  his  Excellency  with  their 
Address,  in  these  words,  viz : 

To  his  Excellency  William  Franklin,  Esquire,  Captain  Gen- 
eral, Governour,  and  Commander-in-Chief  in  a7id  over  the 
Colony  of  New  Jersey,  and  Territories  thereon  depending  in 
America,  Chancellor  and  Vice  Admiral  in  the  same,  &c. : 

The  Humble  Address  of  the  Representatives  of  said 
Colony,  in  General  Assembly  convened  : 

May  it  Please  Your  Excellency  : — We  his  Majesty's 
loyal  and  dutiful  subjects,  the  Representatives  of  this 
Colony  of  New  Jersey,  in  General  Assembly  convened, 
have  taken  into  our  consideration  your  Excellency's 
Speech  at  the  opening  of  the  present  session.  We  should 
have  been  glad  that  your  Excellency's  inclinations  to 
have  given  us  as  early  an  opportunity  of  transacting  the 
publick  business,  as  was  consistent  with  our  "  conven- 
ience," had  determined  in  a  manner  more  agreeable  to 
your  design,  and  more  favourable  to  us,  than  it  really 
has  done  on  the  present  occasion.  If  the  Petitions  which 
we  understand  have  been  presented  to  you,  had  been 
granted,  we  should  have  had  a  meeting  more  convenient 
to  us  than  the  present,  and  that  meeting,  perhaps,  would 
have  prevented  some  of  those  "alarming  transactions" 
which  your  Excellency's  apprehension  of  your  duty  leads 
you  to  inform  us  as  having  happened  in  this  Colony. 
We  thank  you  for  your  intention  to  oblidge  us ;  but  that 

it 


75 


it  may  not  be  so  entirely  frustrated  in  future,  permit  us 
to  inform  you  it  would  be  much  tlie  most  agreeable  to 
us,  that  the  meeting  of  the  House  to  do  publiclc  business, 
should  not  be  postponed  to  a  time  later  than  when  the 
Bill  for  the  support  of  Government  expires. 

We  are  sorry  to  hear  that  in  your  Excellency's  opinion, 
there  has  been  of  late  any  "alarming  transactions"  in 
this  and  the  neighbouring  Colonies,  our  consent  to.  or 
approbation  of  which,  may  lead  the  good  people  we  repre- 
sent into  "  anarchy,  misery,  and  all  thehorrours  of  a  civil 
"  war."  It  is  true  you  are  pleased  to  tell  us  that  this 
destructive  mode  of  proceeding  has  been  adopted  but 
"in  part"  by  some  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  Colony. 
We  assure  you  that  we  neither  have  nor  do  intend  to 
give  our  approbation  to  measures  destructive  to  the  wel- 
fare of  our  constituents,  and  in  which  we  shall  be  equally 
involved  with  them  ;  their  interests  and  our  we  look 
upon  as  inseperable.  No  arguments  are  necessary  to 
prevail  on  us  to  endeavour  to  prevent  such  impending 
calamities;  and  if  we  should,  at  any  time,  mistake  our 
duty  so  much,  we  hope  your  regard  to  the  people  will  in- 
duce you  to  exert  the  prerogative,  and  thereby  give  them 
the  choice  of  other  Representatives,  who  may  act  with 
more  prudence.  The  uncertainty,  however,  to  what 
"alarming  transactions"  in  particular  you  refer,  renders 
it  sufficient  for  us  to  assure  you  only,  that  we  profess 
ourselves  to  be  the  loyal  subjects  of  the  King,  from  whose 
goodness  we  hope  to  be  relieved  from  the  present  un- 
happy situation  ;  that  we  will  do  all  in  our  power  to 
preserve  that  excellent  form  of  Government  under  which 
we  at  present  live;  and  that  we  neither  intend  to  usurp 
the  rights  of  others,  nor  suffer  any  vested  in  us  by  the 
Constitution,  to  be  wrested  out  of  our  hands  by  any 
person  or  persons  whatsoever. 

We  sincerely  lament  the  unhappy  differences  which  at 
present  subsist  between  Great  Britain  and  her  Colonies. 
We  shall  heartily  rejoice  to  see  the  time  when  they  shall 
subside,  on  principles  consistent  with  the  rights  and  in- 
terests of  both,  which  we  ardently  hope  is  not  far  off ; 
and  though  we  cannot  perceive  how  the  seperate  Petition 
of  one  Colony  is  more  likely  to  succeed  than  the  united 

Petitions 


76 


Petitions  of  all ;  yet  in  order  to  show  our  desire  to  pro- 
mote so  good  a  purpose  by  every  proper  means,  we  shall 
make  use  of  the  mode  pointed  out  by  your  Excellency, 
in  hopes  it  will  meet  with  that  attention  which  you  are 
pleased  to  assure  us  will  be  paid  to  the  Representatives 
of  the  people. 

We  have  already  resolved  to  support  his  Majesty's 
Government;  and  we  beg  leave  to  assure  your  Ex- 
cellency, that  though  we  are  warmly  attached  to  that 
liberty  which,  as  subjects  of  our  august  Monarch,  we 
apprehend  ourselves  to  be  justly  entitled  to,  and  firmly 
resolved  to  preserve  it  by  every  constitutional  means  in 
our  power,  yet  we  shall,  with  pleasure,  lay  hold  of  every 
proper  occasion  to  manifest  that  loyalty  to  his  person, 
and  regard  to  the  Constitution,  which,  as  subjects  and 
freemen,  can  be  reasonabl}'  expected  from  us. 
By  order  of  the  House. 

Cortland  Skinner, 

Speaker. 

House  of  Assembly,  February  1, 1775. 

To  which  his  Excellency  was  pleased  to  make  the  fol- 
lowing Answer : 

Gentlemen: — Were  I  to  give  such  an  answer  to  your 
Address  as  the  peculiar  nature  of  it  seems  to  require,  I 
should  be  necessarily  led  into  the  explanation  and  dis- 
cussion of  several  matters  and  transactions,  which,  from 
the  regard  I  bear  to  you  and  the  people  of  this  Colony.  I 
would  far  rather  have  buried  in  perpetual  oblivion.  It 
is,  besides,  in  vain  now  to  argue  on  the  subject,  as  you 
have,  witli  a  most  uncommon  and  unnecessary  precipi- 
tation, given  your  entire  approbation  to  that  destructive 
mode  of  proceeding  which  I  so  earnestly  warned  you 
against. 

Whether,  after  such  a  resolution,  the  Petition  you  men- 
tion can  be  reasonably  expected  to  produce  any  good 
effect;  and  whether  you  or  I  have  best  consulted  the  true 
interests  of  the  people  on  this  important  occasion,  I  shall 
leave  others  to  determine.  You  may  be  assured,  how- 
ever, that  the  advice  which  I  gave  you  was  totally  unin- 
fluenced 


77 


fluenced  b}^  any  sinister  motive  whatever.  It  cftme  from 
an  heart  sincerely  devoted  to  my  native  country,  whose 
welfare  and  happiness  depend, as  I  conceive,  ui)on  a  plan 
of  conduct  very  different  from  what  has  been  hitherto 
adopted. 

Saturday,  February  4,  1775. 

The  Bill  for  the  support  of  G.^vernment  was  read  the 
second  time;  whereupon,  the  House  resolved  itself  into  a 
Committee  of  the  Whole  House  on  the  said  Bill  for  support 
of  Government;  and,  after  some  time  spent  therein,  Mr. 
Speaker  resumed  the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Crane,  Chairman  of 
the  Committee,  reported  that  the  Committee  had  made 
some  progress  in  the  matters  to  them  referred,  and  de- 
sired leave  to  sit  again ;  to  which  the  House  agreed. 


Monday,  February  6, 1775. 

The  House  again,  according  to  order,  resolved  itself 
into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House  on  the  Bill  for  the 
support  of  Government;  and  after  some  time  spent 
therein,  Mr.  Speaker  resumed  the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Crane, 
Chairman  of  the  Committee,  reported  that  the  Commit- 
tee had  gone  through  the  matters  to  them  referred,  and 
had  come  to  several  Resolutions,  which  he  was  ready  to 
report  whenever  the  House  would  please  to  receive  the 
same. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Report  be  made  immediately. 
Whereupon  Mr.  Crane  reported  the  Resolutions  of  the 
Committee,  as  follows,  viz  : 

1.  Resolved,  That  in  and  by  the  said  Bill  when  passed 
into  a  law,  there  bo  paid  to  his  Excellency  William 
Franklin,  Esq.,  Governour  of  this  Colony,  at  the  rate  of 
twelve  hundred  Pounds  per  annum,  Proclamation 
Money,  to  commence  the  first  day  of  October  last. 

And  on  the  question,  whether  the  House  agreed  to  the 
said  sum  or  not  ? 

It  passed  in  the  affirmative,  as  follows  : 

Yeas — 


78 


Yeas—  ' 
Mr.  Crane, 
Hewlings, 
(rarritse, 
Hinchman, 
Fisher, 
Eldridge, 


Roy, 
Tucker, 

Me  helm, 

Demarest, 

Sheppard, 


Ford, 
Elmer, 
Winds, 
Petti  t, 
Kiusey. 


Nays — 

Mr.  Combs,  Taylor,  Sykes, 
Wetherill,  Lawrence,  Hand, 

who  voted  for  £1000. 


2.  To  David  Ogden,  Esquire,  Second  Justice  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  this  Colony,  at  the  rate  of  One  hundred 
and  fifty  Pounds  per  annum,  money  aforesaid. 

And  on  the  question,  whether  the  House  agrees  thereto 
or  not  ? 

It  passed  in  the  affirmative,  as  follows: 
Yeas — 

Mr.  Crane,         Kinsey,  Mehelm, 
Fisher,  Hewlings,  Sheppard, 

Roy,  Sykes,  Elmer, 

Demarest,  Hinchman,  Pettit. 

Ford, 


Nays — 

Mr.  Combs,  Garritse, 
Wetherill,  Dey, 
Taylor,  Winds, 
Lawrence, 

who  voted  for  £100. 


Hand, 

Eldridge, 

Tucker, 


3.  To  Richard  Stockton,  Esquire,  Third  Justice  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  this  Colony,  at  the  rate  of  One  hundred 
and  fifty  Pounds  per  annum,  money  aforesaid. 

And  on  the  question,  whether  the  House  agrees  thereto 
or  not  ? 

It  passed  in  the  affirmative,  as  follows  : 

Yeas — 


79 


Yeas — 

Mr.  Crane,  Kinsey,  Mehelm, 

Fisher,  Hewlings,  Sheppard, 

Roy,  Sykes,  Elmer, 

Deraarest,  Hinchman,  Pettit. 
Ford, 


Nays — 

Mr.  Combs,        Garritse,  Hand, 
Wetlierill,  Dey,  Eldridge, 

Taylor,  Winds,  Tucker, 

who  voted  for  £100. 


4.  To  Cortland  Skinner,  Esq.,  Attorney  General  of  this 
Colony,  at  the  rate  of  forty  Pounds  per  annum,  money 
aforesaid. 

And  on  the  question,  whether  the  House  agrees  thereto 
or  not? 

It  passed  in  the  affirmative,  as  follows : 


Yeas — 
Mr.  Crane, 
Garritse, 
Fisher, 
Roy, 

Demarest, 

Nays — 

Mr.  Combs, 

Wetherill, 

Taylor, 
who  voted  for  £30. 


Ford, 

Winds, 

Kinsey, 

Hewlings, 

Sykes, 


Lawrence, 

Dey, 

Hand, 


Hinchman, 
Mehelm, 
Elmer, 
Pettit. 


Eldridge, 

Tucker, 

Sheppard, 


5.  To  Samuel  Smith,  and  John  Smith,  Esquires,  Trea- 
surers of  this  Colony,  each  at  the  rate  of  forty  Pounds 
per  annum,  money  aforesaid. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

6  To  the  Clerk  of  Council  for  the  time  being,  at  the 
rate  of  thirty  Pounds  per  annum,  money  aforesaid. 
To  which  the  House  agreed. 

7. 


I 


80 

7.  To  the  Agent  of  this  Colony  for  the  time  being,  at 
the  rate  of  one  hundred  Pounds  per  annum,  money 
aforesaid. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

8.  To  the  Clerk  of  the  Circuits  for  the  time  being,  re- 
siding in  this  Colony,  the  sum  of  twenty  Pounds  per 
annum,  money  aforesaid. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

9.  To  the  Doorkeeper  of  the  Council  of  this  Colony,  at 
rate  of  ten  Pounds  per  annum,  money  aforesaid. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

10.  To  his  Excellency  William  Franklin,  Esquire,  at 
the  rate  of  sixty  Pounds  per  annum,  money  aforesaid, 
for  house  rent,  provided  he  makes  Perth  Amboy  or  Bur- 
lington the  place  of  his  residence. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

11.  To  the  Justice  or  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
this  Colony  for  attending  the  Circuit  Courts,  and  Courts 
of  Oyer  and  Terminer  in  the  manner  prescribed  by  the 
said  Act,  the  sum  of  ten  Pounds  for  each  time. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

12.  To  each  of  the  Council  for  the  time  being,  for  the 
time  they  may  attend  at  any  sitting  of  the  General  As- 
sembly within  the  time,  eight  Shillings  per  day. 

On  the  question,  whether  the  sum  be  eight  Shillings 
or  six  Shillings?  It  was  carried  for  eight  Shillings,  as 
follows,  viz. : 

For  Eight  Shillings  per  Diem — 

Mr.  Crane,         Demarest,  Hev/lings, 
Garritse,  Ford,  Mehelm, 

J^'isher,  Winds,  Elmer, 

Roy,  Kinsey,  Pettit. 


Dey, 


For 


81 


For  Six  Shillings  per  Diem — 
Mr.  (yombs,  Sykes, 


Eldridge, 
Tucker, 
Sheppard. 


Wetlierill,  Hinchman 
Taylor,  Hand, 


Lawrence, 

13.  Jonathan  Deare,  one  of  the  Clerks  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  or  any  other  Clerk  for  his  attendance, 
the  sum  of  ten  Shillings  per  day,  for  the  time  he  hath  or 
shall  attend  at  any  sitting  of  the  General  Assembly, 
during  the  continuance  of  this  Act,  and  also  the  sum  of 
four  Pence  per  sheet,  reckoning  ninety  words  to  the  sheet, 
for  entering  the  Minutes  of  any  sitting  during  the  con- 
tinuance of  this  Act,  fair  in  the  Journals,  and  copying  the 
Laws  and  Minutes  for  the  Printer;  and  to  the  said  Jona- 
than Deare,  the  sum  of  twelve  Pounds,  for  Pen,  Ink  and 
Paper,  and  hiring  Clerks  to  forward  the  business  of  this 
session. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

14.  To  Charles  Pettit,  Esq.,  Deputy  Secretary,  or  to  the 
Deputy  Secretary  for  the  time  being,  for  copying  publick 
Laws  to  send  home  to  England,  during  the  continuance 
of  this  Act,  four  Pence  per  sheet,  reckoning  ninety  words 
to  the  sheet. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

15.  To  each  of  the  Treasurers  of  this  Colony,  six  Pence 
per  Pound  for  exchanging  ragged  and  torn  Bills  of  Credit 
of  this  Colony. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

16.  To  Isaac  Collins,  or  any  other  Printer  hereafter  to 
be  appointed,  for  printing  the  Minutes  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  of  any  sitting  during  the  continuance  of 
this  Act,  and  for  printing  the  Laws  passed  at  any  sitting 
as  aforesaid,  or  any  other  printing,  such  sums  as  Hendrick 
Fisher,  Stephen  Crane,  James  Kinsey,  and  Thomas  Pol- 
green  Hewlings,  Esquires,  or  any  two  of  them  shall  agree 
to  be  paid  for  the  said  service. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 


17. 


7 


82 


17.  To  the  Sergeant-at-Arms  for  tlie  time  being,  who 
shall  attend  the  Council,  the  sum  of  three  Shillings  per 
diem  ;  and  to  the  Sergeant-at-Arms  wiio  shall  attend  the 
House  of  Representatives,  the  sum  of  three  Shillings  per 
diem. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 


18.  To  the  Doorkeeper  of  the  House  of  Representatives 
for  the  time  being,  who  shall  attend  the  House  in  man- 
ner aforesaid,  the  sum  of  three  Shillings  and  six  Pence 
per  diem. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

19.  To  the  Speaker  and  every  of  the  Members  of  the 
House  of  Representatives  for  the  time  each  of  them  shall 
attend  at  any  sitting  of  the  General  Assembly,  during 
the  continuance  of  this  Act,  eight  Shillings  per  diem. 

On  the  question,  whether  the  sum  be  eight  Shillings 
or  Six  Snillings  per  diem?  It  was  carried  for  eight  shil- 
lings as  follows,  viz.  : 

For  Eight  Shillings  per  Diem — 

Mr.  Crane,  Deraarest,  Hewlings, 

Garritse,  Ford  Mehelm, 

Fisher,  Winds,  Elmer, 

Roy,  Kinsey,  Pettit. 

Dey, 

For  Six  Shillings  per  Diem — 

Mr.  Combs,  Sykes,  Eldridge, 

Wetherill,  Hinchman,  Tucker, 

Taylor,  Hand,  Sheppard. 

Lawrence, 

Ordered,  That  the  Bill  for  support  of  Government,  as 
reported  and  agreed  to,  be  engrossed. 


Tuesday,  February  7,  1775. 

On  motion  made. 

It  is  ordered  by  the  House,  that  the  late  Treasurer  do 

appear 


83 


appoar  before  the  House  at  ten  o'clock  to-morrow  morn- 
ing, in  order  that  they  may  inquire  of  him  concerning 
the  (leticiency  reported  due  from  him  to  the  Province; 
and  that  a  copy  of  this  order  be  served  on  him  immedi- 
ately. 

The  House  took  into  consideration  his  Excellency's 
Message,  of  the  30th  day  of  January  last,  which  was  read, 
togetlier  with  Colonel  Robertson's  Letter,  and  his  Account, 
&c.,  whereupon,  after  some  debate, 

Resolved,  That  this  House  will  not  allow  the  charge  for 
Sheets,  as  charged  in  Colonel  Robertson's  Account. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Mehelm,  and  Mr.  Hewlings,  do  wait 
on  his  Excellency  and  inform  him  that  the  House  have 
taken  his  Message  of  30th  day  of  January  last,  relating 
to  the  charge  made  by  Colonel  Robertson,  of  three  hun- 
dred and  fifty-four  Pounds,  seven  Shillings  and  six 
Pence,  for  Sheets  furnished  the  King's  Troops  in  this 
Colony,  and  the  balance  in  his  hands  of  thirty-four 
Pounds,  eight  Shillings  and  six  Pence,  into  their  con- 
sideration. 

That  the  House  beg  leave  to  acquaint  his  Excellency 
that  tliey  cannot  allow  of  the  charge  so  made,  it  being 
new,  uncommon,  and  never  allowed  of  by  this  Colony; 
and  that  the  House  requests  his  Excellency  will  be 
pleased  to  pay  the  balance  in  his  hands  to  the  Eastern 
Treasurer. 


"Wednesday,  February  8,  1775. 

A  Letter  was  presented  to  the  House  from  the  Honour- 
able Stephen  Skinner,  Esquire,  which,  by  order  of  the 
House,  was  read,  and  is  as  follows,  viz. : 

Mr.  Speaker  : — The  Message  of  the  House,  ordering 
the  late  Treasurer  to  attend  this  day  at  ten  o'clock,  to  in- 
quire of  him  the  deficiency  of  the  Treasury,  I  have  re- 
ceived ;  but  as  I  have  the  Honour  to  be  one  of  his  Maj- 
esty's Council,  I  can't  possibly  attend  till  such  time  as  I 
have  laid  the  order  before  the  Council,  which  I  shall  im- 
mediately do  upon  their  meeting. 

As 


84 


As  the  order  is  to  inquire  concerning  the  deficiency  of 
the  Treasury,  I  can  assure  the  House,  liad  I  been  ap- 
prized of  their  wanting  the  publick  money,  I  should 
have  taken  care  that  the  whole  should  have  been  in  the 
Treasury  for  their  inspection  ;  but  as  I  have  amply  se- 
cured the  Treasurer,  I  shall  take  care  that  he  shall  have 
the  whole  amount  of  the  bond  I  have  given  him  within 
the  time  appointed  for  cancelling  the  publick  money. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  yours  and  the  House's  most 
humble  servant, 

Stephen  Skinner. 

February  8,  1775. 

The  Petition  from  a  number  of  Inhabitants  of  Not- 
tingham, in  the  County  of  Burlington,  praying  the 
House  will  take  some  measures  to  settle  the  unhappy 
differences  between  Great  Britain  and  the  Colonies,  was 
read  the  second  time  ;  on  the  question. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  referred  to  the  Committee 
appointed  to  prepare  a  Petition  to  his  Majesty. 

Thursday,  February  9,  1775. 

The  House  met. 

It  appearing  to  the  House,  from  the  Report  of  the  Com- 
mittees appointed  to  settle  the  Accounts  of  the  Eastern 
Treasury,  that  there  ought  to  be  therein  upward  of  twenty 
thousand  Pounds,  and  the  House  being  informed  by  the 
Eastern  Treasurer  that  there  is  therein  upward  of  fifteen 
thousand  Pounds,  great  part  of  which  is  in  Gold  and 
Silver,  and  the  Bills  of  Credit  of  this  Colony,  in  order 
that  the  Colony  may  be  secured  from  accidents,  Mr.  Kin- 
sey  moves  that  leave  be  given  to  bring  in  a  Bill  for  that 
purpose,  and  that  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  consider 
of  ways  and  means  to  eft'ect  it;  and  the  previous  ques- 
tion being  put,  whether  the  question  be  put  on  the  said 
motion  or  not? 

It  passed  in  the  negative. 

Yeas — 


85 


Yeas — 
Mr.  Combs, 
Wetherill, 


Taylor, 
Kinsey, 


Tucker, 
Mehelm. 


Nays — 

Mr.  Lawrence, 


Demarest, 


Hinchman, 
Hand, 
Eld  ridge, 
Sheppard, 
Pettit. 


Crane, 

Garritse, 

Fisher, 

Roy, 

Dey, 


Ford, 
Winds, 


Hewlings, 
Sykes, 


On  motion,  made  by  Mr.  Tucker, 

Resolved,  nem.  con.,  That  there  is  a  large  deficiency  in 
the  Eastern  Treasury  of  the  moneys  which  either  ought 
to  be  therein,  or  ought  to  have  been  cancelled  and  burned 
some  time  past;  and  that  it  is  a  manifest  breach  of  duty 
for  any  Treasurer  of  this  Colony  to  apply  any  such 
publick  money  to  any  private  purposes  whatsoever. 

John  Smyth,  Esquire,  desiring  to  attend  the  House, 
was  called  in,  and  informed  the  House  that  he  had 
entered  into  a  new  Bond  with  securities,  for  the  true  and 
faithful  execution  of  his  office  as  Treasurer  of  the  Eastern 
Division,  and  desired  to  have  the  sentiments  of  the 
House  as  to  the  sufficiency  of  his  securities,  and  that  his 
former  Bond  may  be  cancelled  : 

Whereupon  the  said  Bond  was  read  ;  and  on  the  ques- 
tion, 

Resolved,  nem.  con..  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  House, 
his  said  securities,  are  very  sufficient,  and  that  his  former 
Bond  may  and  ought  to  be  cancelled. 

The  engrossed  Bill,  entitled  An  Act  for  support  of 
Government  of  his  Majesty's  Colony  of  New  Jersey,  to 
commence  the  1st  day,  of  October,  1774,  and  to  end  the 
1st  day  of  October,  1775,  and  to  discharge  the  Publick 
Debts  and  Contingent  Charges  thereof,  was  read  and 
compared  ;  on  the  question, 

Resolved,  That  the  same  do  pass. 


Friday, 


86 


Friday,  February  10,  1775. 

The  House  being  informed  that  Dr.  James  Murdock 
did,  this  day,  send  a  challenge  to  one  of  the  Members  of 
this  House,  which  was  delivered  in  the  House,  and  an 
answer  insolently  demanded  ;  the  House  taking  the  same 
into  consideration, 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  the  challenging  a  Member 
of  this  House  is  a  contempt  and  breach  of  the  privileges 
of  this  House  : 

Ordered,  therefore,  That  Mr.  Speaker  do  issue  his  War- 
rant to  the  Sergeant-  t-Arms,  immediately  to  take  the 
said  Doctor  James  Murdock,  and  bring  him  to  the  Bar 
of  the  House  for  the  contempt  aforesaid. 

The  Sergeant-at-Arms  attended  with  Dr.  James  Mur- 
dock at  the  Bar  of  the  House,  who,  being  the^e  examined, 
confessed  his  sending  a  challenge  to  a  Member  of  this 
House;  that  he  knew  the  gentleman  to  be  a  Member  of 
the  House,  but  did  not  apprehend  it  an  insult  to  the 
House,  and  was  extremely  sorry  for  it,  and  declared  his 
sorrow  for  writing  the  said  letter,  and  his  ignorance  of 
the  consequences,  and  hoped  the  favour  of  the  House  : 

Whereupon,  the  Sergeant-at-Arms  being  ordered  to 
withdraw  with  his  prisoner,  the  House  took  the  matter 
into  consideration,  and  the  Member  injured  moving  that 
the  said  Doctor  Murdock's  acknowledgements  might  be 
accepted  by  the  House  ;  after  some  debate, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Doctor  James  Murdock  do  hum- 
bly ask  pardon  of  this  House,  in  general,  and  the  Mem- 
ber in  particular;  that  he  be  thereupon  reprimanded  by 
the  Speaker,  and  that  he  then  be  discharged  on  payment 
of  his  Fees. 

Whereupon  the  said  Doctor  Murdock  did  humbly  ask 
pardon  of  the  House,  and  the  Member  in  particular; 
and  being  reprimanded  by  the  Speaker, 

Ordered,  That  he  be  discharged  on  payment  of  his 
Fees. 


Saturday,  February  11,  1775. 

Mr.  Wetherill,  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  pre- 
pare 


87 


pare  a  draught  of  a  Petition  to  his  Majesty,  brought  in 
a  draught,  which,  by  order  of  the  House,  was  read  and 
ordered  to  a  second  reading. 

The  draught  of  the  Petition  to  his  Majesty  was  read 
tlie  second  time. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  committed  to  a  Committee 
of  the  Whole  House. 

Whereupon  the  House  accordingly  resolved  itself  into 
a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House,  on  the  Petition  to  his 
Majesty;  and  after  some  time  spent  therein,  Mr.  Speaker 
resumed  the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Fisher,  Chairman  of  the 
Committee,  reported  that  the  Committee  had  made  some 
progress  in  the  matters  to  them  referred,  and  desired 
leave  to  sit  again ;  to  which  the  House  agreed. 

Monday,  February  13,  1775. 

The  House  taking  into  consideration  the  state  of  the 
Debt  due  to  this  Colony  from  Lord  Stirling,  and  it  ap- 
pearing that  Mrs.  Mary  Verplank  hath  a  mortgage  upon 
the  same  Lands,  prior  to  that  given  to  the  late  Treasurer, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Fisher,  Mr.  Crane,  and  Mr.  Law- 
rence, or  any  two  of  them,  do  wait  on  Lord  Stirling,  and 
endeavour  to  procure  security  for  the  Debt  due  to  the 
Colony. 

The  House  again,  according  to  order,  resolved  itself 
into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House,  on  the  Petition 
to  his  Majesty  ;  and  after  some  time  spent  therein,  Mr. 
Speaker  resumed  the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Fisher,  Chairman 
of  the  Committee,  reported  that  the  Committee  have  gone 
through  the  said  Petition,  and  made  several  amend- 
ments thereto,  which  he  was  ready  to  report  whenever 
the  House  would  be  pleased  to  receive  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  the  Report  be  made  immediately. 

Whereupon  Mr.  Fisher  reported  the  said  Petition  and 
amendments,  which  being  read  and  agreed  to  by  the 
House,  on  the  question. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  engrossed. 

Mr.  Fisher  and  Mr.  Lawrence  reported  that  they  had 
waited  on  Lord  Stirling,  pursuant  to  the  order  of  the 

House, 


88 


House,  who  informed  them  that  he  could  not  give  the 
Province  other  security,  unless  a  general  mortgage,  but 
that  in  four  or  five  months  the  matter  should  be  settled. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Fisher  and  Mr.  Eldridge  do  go  to 
the  Council  and  inquire  whether  they  have  any  business 
before  them  ;  if  not,  that  this  House  proposes  to  apply  to 
his  Excellency  for  a  dismission. 

Mr.  Fisher  reported  that  Mr.  Eldridge  and  himself 
went  to  the  Council  according  to  order,  who  said  they 
had  no  business  before  them. 

The  engrossed  petition  to  his  Majesty  was  read  and 
compared,  and  is  as  follows  : 

To  the  King's  most  Excellent  Majesty : 

Most  Gracious  Sovereign  : — We,  your  Majesty's  most 
dutiful  and  loyal  subjects,  the  Representatives  of  the 
Colony  of  New  Jersey,  in  General  Assembly  convened, 
beg  leave  to  approach  your  royal  presence  to  express  our 
unfeigned  attachment  to  your  Majesty's  person,  family, 
and  Government,  and  to  return  you  our  most  humble 
thanks  for  your  gracious  assurance,  signified  to  us  by  our 
Governour,  that  "the  representations  or  propositions  of 
your  Colonies  will  be  attended  to." 

Firmly  persuaded  of  your  Majesty's  solicitude  for  the 
happiness  of  your  subjects  in  the  remotest  parts  of  your 
Dominions  from  the  above  gracious  assurance,  we  can- 
not but  encourage  ourselves  in  the  prospect  of  your  royal 
interposition  for  our  relief  from  the  grievances  under 
which  your  American  subjects  have  been  so  long  labour- 
ing. 

We  do,  with  the  greatest  sincerity,  assure  your  Majesty 
that  our  complaints  do  not  arise  from  a  want  of  loyalty 
to  your  royal  person,  or  a  disposition  to  withdraw  our- 
selves from  a  constitutional  dependence  on  the  British 
Crown,  but  from  well  grounded  apprehensions  that  our 
rights  and  liberties  are  intimately  affected  by  the  late 
measures,  in  their  consequences  pernicious  to  the  welfare 
and  happiness  both  of  Great  Britain  and  your  Majesty's 
Colonies. 

The  Grievances  of  which  we  complain  are : 

A 


89 


A  Standing  Army  lias  been  kept  in  these  Colonies  ever 
since  the  conclusion  of  the  late  war,  without  the  consent 
of  our  Assemblies ;  and  this  Army,  with  a  considerable 
Naval  Armament,  has  been  employed  to  enforce  the  col- 
lection of  Taxes. 

The  authority  of  the  Commander-in-Chief,  and,  under 
him,  of  the  Brigadiers  General,  has,  in  time  of  peace, 
been  rendered  supreme  in  all  the  Civil  Governments  of 
America. 

The  Commander-in-Chief  of  all  your  Majesty's  Forces 
in  North  America  has,  in  time  of  peace,  been  appointed 
Governour  of  a  Colony. 

The  charges  of  usual  Officers  have  been  ereatly  in- 
creased, and  new,  expensive,  and  oppressive  Offices  have 
been  multiplied. 

The  Judges  of  Admiralty  and  Vice  Admiralty  Courts 
are  empowered  to  receive  their  salaries  and  fees  from  the 
effects  condemned  by  themselves. 

The  Officers  of  the  Customs  are  empowered  to  break 
open  and  enter  houses  without  the  authority  of  any  Civil 
Magistrate,  founded  on  legal  information. 

The  Judges  of  Courts  of  Common  Law  have  been  made 
entirely  dependent  on  one  part  of  the  Legislature  for  their 
salaries,  as  well  as  for  the  duration  of  their  commissions. 

Counsellors,  holding  their  commissions  during  pleas- 
ure, exercise  Legislative  authority. 

The  Agents  of  the  People  have  been  discountenanced, 
and  Governours  have  been  instructed  to  prevent  the  pay- 
ment of  their  salaries. 

Assemblies  have  been  frequently  and  injuriously  dis- 
solved, and  Commerce  burdened  with  many  useless  and, 
oppressive  restrictions. 

By  several  Acts  of  Parliament,  made  in  the  fourth, 
fifth,  sixth,  seventh  and  eighth  years  of  j'our  Majesty's 
reign.  Duties  are  imposed  on  us  for  the  purpose  of  rais- 
ing a  Revenue;  and  the  powers  of  Admiralty  and  Vice 
Admiralty  Courts  are  extended  beyond  their  ancient 
limits,  whereby  our  property  is  taken  from  us  without 
our  consent;  the  Trial  by  Jury,  in  many  civil  cases,  is 
abolished ;  enormous  Forfeitures  are  incurred  for  slight 
offences;  vexatious  Informers  are  exempted  from  paying 

damages 


90 


dainap;ps  to  which  they  are  justly  liable,  and  oppressive 
Security  is  required  from  owners,  before  they  are  allowed 
to  defend  their  rights. 

Both  Houses  of  Parliament  have  resolved  that  the 
Colonies  may  be  tried  in  England  for  offences  alleged  to 
have  been  committed  in  America,  by  virtue  of  a  Statute 
passed  in  the  thirty-fifth  year  of  Henry  the  Eighth  ;  and, 
in  consequence  thereof,  attempts  have  been  made  to 
enforce  that  Statute. 

A  Statute  was  passed  in  the  twelfth  year  of  your 
Majesty's  reign,  directing  that  persons  charged  with 
committing  any  offence  therein  described,  in  any  place 
out  of  the  Realm,  ma}'  be  indicted  and  tried  for  the 
same  in  any  Shire  or  County  within  the  Realm,  whereby 
inhabitants  of  these  Colonies  may,  in  sundry  cases,  by 
that  Statute  made  capital,  be  deprived  of  a  trial  by  their 
peers  of  the  vicinage. 

In  the  last  session  of  Parliament  an  Act  was  passed 
for  blocking  up  the  Harbour  of  Boston  ;  another  em- 
powering the  Governour  of  Massachusetts  Bay  to  send 
persons  indicted  for  murder,  in  that  Province,  to  another 
Colony,  or  even  to  Great  Britain,  for  trial,  whereby  such 
offenders  may  escape  legal  punishment;  a  third,  for  alter- 
ing the  Chartered  Constitution  of  Government  in  that 
Province;  and  a  fourth,  for  extending  the  Limits  of 
Quebec,  abolishing  the  English  and  restoring  the  French 
Laws,  whereby  great  numbers  of  British  freemen  are 
subject  to  the  latter,  and  establishing  an  absolute  Gov- 
ernment and  the  Roman  Catholick  Religion  throughout 
those  vast  regions  that  border  on  the  Westerly  and  North- 
erly boundaries  of  the  free  Protestant  English  settle- 
ments; and  a  fifth,  for  the  better  providing  suitable  quar- 
ters for  Officers  and  Soldiers  in  his  Majesty's  service  in 
North  America. 

To  a  Sovereign,  who  "glories  in  the  name  of  Briton," 
the  bare  recital  of  these  Acts  must,  we  presume,  justify 
the  loyal  subjects  who  fly  to  the  foot  of  his  Throne,  and 
implore  his  clemency  for  protection  against  them. 

Although  all  the  grievances  above  enumerated  do  not 
immediately  affect  the  people  of  this  Colony,  yet  as,  in 

their 


91 


their  consequences,  they  will  be  deeply  involved,  we 
cannot  remain  silent  and  unconcerned. 

Should  our  properties  be  liable  to  the  disposal  of  those 
of  our  fellow-subjects  in  whose  election  we  have  no  voice, 
we  conceive  it  evident  that  we  have  no  property  but  at 
their  will  and  pleasure. 

And  should  we  be  carried  for  trial  to  places  where  it 
is  impossible  for  the  accused  to  compel  the  appearance  of 
his  witnesses,  innocence  will  be  no  security  from  punish- 
ment. 

Nor  is  the  jurisdiction  lately  given  to  the  Courts  of 
Admiralty,  which  deprive  your  Majesty's  American  sub- 
jects of  Trial  by  Juries  of  the  vicinage,  less  repugnant 
to  the  fundamental  principles  of  the  Common  law. 

All  which  necessarily  tend  to  reduce  us  to  a  state  of 
servitude,  from  which  our  affection  for  the  English  Con- 
stitution, and  duty  to  ourselves  and  our  posterity,  loudly 
call  upon  us  to  avert,  by  all  lawful  means  in  our  power. 

The  Colony  of  New  Jersey,  during  the  late  glorious 
war,  though  not  immediately  affected,  because  surrounded 
by  your  Majesty's  other  more  extensive  and  opulent 
Colonies,  complied  with  every  royal  requisition  for  aid, 
and  cheerfully  exerted  itself,  at  a  very  considerable  ex- 
pense, whereby  it  incurred  a  heavy  debt,  under  a  great 
part  of  which  it  at  present  labours. 

And  as  this  Colony  hath  always,  according  to  its 
ability,  cordially  defrayed  the  charge  of  the  adminis- 
tration of  justice,  and  the  support  of  the  Civil  Govern- 
ment, your  Majesty  may  be  assured,  that  it  will  ever  be 
ready,  not  only  to  defray  the  same  charge,  but  also  to 
contribute  when  constitutionally  required,  to  every  rea- 
sonable and  necessary  expense,  for  the  defence,  protection 
and  security  of  the  whole  British  Empire. 

We  do  solemnly,  and  with  great  truth,  assure  your 
Majesty  that  we  have  no  thoughts  injurious  to  the 
allegiance  which,  as  subjects,  we  owe  to  you  as  our  Sove- 
reign ;  that  we  abhor  the  idea  of  setting  ourselves  up  in 
a  state  of  independency,  and  that  we  know  of  no  such 
design  in  others.  We  therefore  most  earnestly  beseech 
your  Majesty  to  interpose  your  royal  authority  for  the 

redress 


92 


redress  of  the  above  grievances,  and  to  vouchsafe  us  a 
gracious  answer  to  this  our  humble  Petition. 

That  the  Omnipotent  Being,  "by  whom  Kings  reign 
and  Princes  decree  justice,"  and  who  hath  phiced  your 
Majesty  on  the  throne  of  your  ancestors,  to  which  they 
were  called  by  the  suffrage  of  a  free  people,  to  protect 
them  against  Popery  and  arbitrary  power,  may  bless  you 
with  every  felicity,  both  temporal  and  eternal,  and  that 
the  Colonies  may  vie  witli  the  most  faithful  of  your  sub- 
jects, in  everj'^  dutiful  and  loyal  attachment  to  your  royal 
person,  family  and  Government,  is,  and  always  will  be, 
the  sincere  and  fervent  prayer  of  your  Majesty's  loyal 
and  dutiful  subjects,  the  Representatives  of  the  Colony 
of  New  Jersey. 

House  of  Assembly,  February  13,  1775. 

On  the  question,  whether  the  Speaker  do  sign  the 
same  ? 

It  passed  in  the  affirmative,  as  follows  : 


Yeas — 

Mr.  Combs,  Demarest,  Elmer, 

Roy,  Tucker,  Garritse, 

Hand,  Lawrence,  Sykes, 

Wetherill,  Ford,  Pettit, 

Dey,  Mehelm,  Fisher, 

Eldridge,  Crane,  Hinchman. 

Taylor,  Winds, 

Nays — 

Mr.  Kinsey,  Hewlings. 


Ordered,  That  the  Speaker  do  sign  the  same. 

Mr.  Speaker  dissenting  from  the  Petition  to  the  King, 
requested  as  a  favour,  that  his  dissent  might  be  entered 
in  the  Journals  of  the  House ;  and  on  the  question 
whether  the  same  be  entered  or  not? 

It  passed,  as  follows: 


Yeas — 


93 


Yeas — 

Mr.  Lawrence, 


Fisher, 
Hewlings, 
Roy, 
Mehelm, 


Dey, 


Ford, 

Garritse, 

Kinsey, 


De  in  a  rest. 
Pettit. 


Nays — 

Mr.  Combs, 


Taylor, 
Crane, 


Winds, 

Sykes, 

Elmer. 


Hincliman 

Wetherill, 

Hand, 


Eldridge, 
Tucker, 


The  votes  being  equal,  Mr.  Speaker  gave  his  voice  in 
the  affirmative. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  entered  accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  do 
transmit  the  said  Petition  to  the  Agent,  by  the  first 
opportunity. 

Mr.  Deputy  Secretary  Pettit  then,  by  Writ,  prorogued 
the  House  to  Tuesday,  the  fourteentli  day  of  March  next, 
then  to  meet  at  Burlington. 


Cumberland 


Cumberland  County  Committee. 


Cumberland  County,  N.  J.,  March  G,  1775. 

The  Committee  of  the  County  of  Cumberland,  in  New 
Jersey,  met  at  Bridgetown ;  and  after  reading  the  Asso- 
ciation of  the  American  Congress,  it  appeared  by  the 
voluntary  declaration  of  Silas  Newcomb,  Esquire,  a 
Member  of  the  Committee,  that  he  had  contravened  the 
same,  and  in  open  violation  of  the  Third  Article  of  the 
aforesaid  Association  had  drank  East  India  Tea  in  his 
family  ever  since  the  first  day  of  March  instant,  and  that 
he  is  determined  to  persist  in  the  same  practice.  After 
much  time  spent  in  vain  to  convince  Mr.  Newcomb  of 
his  errour  it  was  agreed  that  it  is  the  duty  of  tliis  Com- 
mittee agreeable  to  the  Eleventh  Article  of  the  above 
mentioned  compact  to  break  off  all  dealings  with  him 
and  in  this  manner  publish  the  truth  of  the  case,  that 
he  may  be  distinguished  from  the  friends  of  American 
liberty. 

By  order  of  the  Committee. 

Thomas  Ewing, 

Clerk. 


Cumberland,  New  Jersey. 

Whereas,  Silas  Newcomb,  Esquire,  was  in  March  last 
advertised  by  the  Committee  of  said  County  for  a  breach 
of  the  Association  of  the  Continental  Congress,  and  hav- 
ing since  manifested  a  desire  of  making  a  public  acknowl- 
edgement for  his  former  misconduct,  the  Committee 
accepted  of  the  following  recantation,  viz : 

"I,  the  subscriber,  do  hereby  publickly  acknowledge 
my  former  errour,  and  voluntarily  confess  myself  to 

blame 


95 


blame  for  obstinately  refusing  to  submit  to  a  majority  of 
the  Committee ;  and  I  do  hereby  ask  i)ardon  of  the 
Members  of  the  Committee  for  the  abuses  offered  them 
and  promise  for  the  future  to  regulate  my  conduct  agree- 
able to  the  aforesaid  Association  and  a  majority  of  said 
Com  mittee. 

"  Witness  my  hand  the  11th  day  of  May,  1775. 

"  Silas  Newcomb." 

Published  by  order  of  the  Committee. 

Thomas  Ewing, 

Clerk. 


Freehold,  Monmouth  County,  Committee. 

Freehold,  March  6,  1775. 

Although  the  Committee  of  Observation  and  Inspection 
for  the  Township  of  Freehold, in  the  County  of  Monmouth, 
New  Jersey,  was  constituted  early  in  December  last  and 
the  members  have  statedly  and  assiduously  attended  to 
the  business  assigned  them  ever  since,  3'et  they  have 
hitherto  deferred  the  publication  of  their  institution,  in 
hopes  of  the  general  concurrence  of  the  other  Townships 
in  the  choice  of  a  new  County  Committee,  when  one  pub- 
lication might  have  served  for  the  whole;  but  finding 
some  of  them  have  hitherto  declined  to  comply  with  the 
recommendation  of  the  General  Congress  in  that  respect, 
and  not  knowing  whether  they  intend  it  at  all,  they  judge 
it  highly  expedient  to  transmit  the  following  account  to 

the 


96 


the  Press,  lest  their  brethren  in  distant  parts  of  the 
Colony  should  think  the  County  of  Monmouth  altogether 
inactive  at  the  present  important  crisis. 

"  In  pursuance  of  the  recommendation  of  the  Grand 
Continental  Congress  and  for  the  preservation  and  sup- 
port of  American  freedom,  a  respectable  body  of  the 
Freeholders  Inhabitants  of  the  Township  of  Free- 
hold, met  at  Monmouth  Court  House  on  Saturday,  De- 
cember 10th,  1774,  and  unanimously  elected  the  following 
gentlemen  to  serve  as  a  Committee  of  Observation  and 
Inspection  for  the  said  Town,  viz. :  John  Anderson, 
Esquire,  Captain  John  Covenhoven,  Messrs.  Peter  For- 
man,  Hendrick  Smock,  Asher  Holmes,  David  Forman 
and  John  Forman,  Doctor  Nathaniel  Scudder,  and  Doc- 
tor Thomas  Henderson,  who  were  instructed  by  their 
constituents  to  endeavour  to  the  utmost  of  their  knowl- 
edge and  power  to  carry  into  execution  the  several 
important  and  salutary  measures  pointed  out  to  them  by 
the  American  Congress ;  and  without  favour  or  affection 
to  make  all  such  diligent  inquiry  as  shall  be  found  con- 
ducive to  the  accomplishment  of  the  great  and  necessary 
purposes  held  up  by  them  to  the  attention  of  America." 

At  an  early  meeting  of  said  Committee,  a  pamphlet 
entitled  Free  Thoughts  on  the  Resolves  of  the  Congress  by 
A.  W.  Farmer,  was  handed  in  to  them  and  their  opinion 
of  it  asked  by  a  number  of  their  constituents  then  present. 
Said  pamphlet  was  then  read,  and  upon  mature  delibera- 
tion unanimously  declared  to  be  a  performance  of  the 
most  pernicious  and  malignant  tendency;  replete  with 
the  most  specious  sophistry  but  void  of  any  solid  or 
rational  argument ;  calculated  to  deceive  and  mislead 
the  unwary,  the  ignorant,  and  the  credulous;  and  de- 
signed no  doubt  by  the  detestable  author  to  damp  that 
noble  spirit  of  union,  which  he  sees  prevailing  all  over 
the  Continent,  and  if  possible  to  sap  the  foundations  of 
America  freedom.  The  pamphlet  was  afterwards  handed 
back  to  the  people,  who  immediately  bestowed  upon  it  a 
suit  of  tar  and  turkey-buzzard's  feathers ;  one  of  the 
persons  concerned  in  the  operation  justly  observing  that 
although  the  feathers  were  plucked  from  the  most  stink- 
ing fowl  in  the  creation  he  thought  they  fell  far  short  of 

being 


97 


being  a  proper  emblem  of  the  author's  odiousness  to 
every  advocate  for  true  freedom.  The  same  person 
wished,  however,  he  had  the  pleasure  of  fitting  him 
with  a  suit  of  the  same  materials.  The  pamphlet  was  then 
in  its  gorgeous  attire,  nailed  up  firmly  to  the  pillory 
post,  there  to  remain  as  a  monument  of  the  indignation 
of  a  free  and  loyal  people  against  the  author  and  vendor 
of  a  publication  so  evidently  tending  both  to  subvert  the 
liberties  of  America  and  the  Constitution  of  the  British 
Empire. 

At  a  subsequent  meeting  of  said  Coinmittee  it  was  re- 
solved unanimously  that  on  account  of  sundry  publica- 
tions in  tlie  pamphlet  way  by  James  Rivington,  Printer, 
of  New  York,  and  also  a  variety  of  weekly  productions 
in  his  paper  blended,  in  general  with  the  most  glaring 
falsehoods,  disgorged  with  the  most  daring  effrontery, 
and  all  evidently  calculated  to  disunite  the  Colonies  and 
sow  the  seeds  of  discord  and  contention  through  the 
whole  Continent,  they  do  esteem  him  a  base  and  malig- 
nant enemy  to  the  liberties  of  this  Country,  and  think  he 
ought  justly  to  be  treated  as  such  by  all  considerate  and 
good  men.  And  they  do  for  themselves,  now  publickly 
declare  (and  recommend  the  same  conduct  to  their  con- 
stituents) that  they  will  have  no  connection  with  him 
the  said  Rivington,  while  he  continues  to  retail  such 
dirty,  scandalous,  and  traitorious  performances ;  but  hold 
him  in  the  utmost  contempt  as  a  noxious  exotick  plant 
incapable  either  of  cultivation  or  improvement  in  this 
soil  of  freedom  and  only  fit  to  be  transported. 

This  Committee  did  early  make  application  to  every 
other  Township  in  the  County,  recommending  the  elec- 
tion of  Committees  ;  and  they  soon  had  information  that 
those  of  Upper  Freehold,  Middletown  and  Dover  had 
chosen  theirs  and  were  resolved  to  enforce  the  measures 
of  the  Congress. 

N.  B. — A  very  considerable  number  of  the  inhabitants 
of  Freehold  have  formed  themselves  into  Companies  and 
chosen  Military  Instructors,  under  whose  tuition  they 
are  making  rapid  improvement. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Committee. 

John  Anderson, 

Chairman. 

8  Meeting 


98 


Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Hackensack,  New 

Jersey. 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Precinct  of 
Hackensack,  in  the  County  of  Bergen  and  Province  of 
New  Jersey,  held  pursuant  to  an  Act  of  Assembly  of  the 
said  Province,  on  Tuesday,  the  14th  of  March,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord,  1775. 

Thomas  Moor,  Esq.,  Chairman. 

This  meeting  being  heartily  grieved  at  the  unhappy 
disputes  now  existing  between  Great  Britain  and  her 
American  Colonies,  and  earnestly  wishing  that  the  pres- 
ent misunderstandings  may  be  removed,  and  such  a 
reconciliation  take  place  as  may  be  consistent  with  the 
dignity  of  Great  Britain  and  the  true  interest  of  the 
Colonies;  and  being  unanimously  of  opinion  that  it  is 
the  duty  of  every  loyal  subject  to  adopt  and  encourage 
the  most  lenient  measures  which  may  tend  to  heal  and 
not  inflame  the  present  differences. 

We  therefore,  in  order  to  contribute  what  is  in  our 
power  to  this  salutary  purpose,  and  to  show  our  loyalty 
to  our  King,  and  love  to  our  Country,  do  Resolve, 

1.  That  we  are  and  will  continue  to  be  loyal  subjects 
to  his  Majesty  King  George,  and  that  we  will  venture 
our  lives  and  fortunes  to  support  the  dignity  of  his  Crown. 

2.  That  we  disavow  all  riotous  mobs  whatsoever. 

3.  That  by  humbly  petitioning  the  Throne  is  the  only 
salutary  means  we  can  think  of  to  remove  our  present 
grievances. 

4.  That  we  have  not,  nor,  (for  the  future)  will  not  be 
concerned  in  any  case  whatever  with  any  unconstitu- 
tional measures. 

5.  That  we  will  support  his  Majesty's  Civil  Officers  in 
all  their  lawful  proceedings. 

Signed  by  thirty-seven  Inhabitants, 


Committee 


99 


Committee  of  Freehold,  Monmouth  County. 

March  14,  1775,  P.  M. 

Tlie  Committee  of  Observation  for  the  Township  of 
Freehold,  in  the  County  of  Monmouth,  New  Jersey,  have 
made  repeated  applications  to  the  inhabitants  of  the 
Township  of  Shrewsbury  earnestly  requesting  and  exort- 
ing  them  to  comply  with  tbe  instructions  of  the  late 
American  Congress  in  constituting  for  themselves  a  Com- 
mittee of  Observation,  that  they  might  cons[)ire  with 
their  brethren  in  the  other  Towns  belonging  to  the 
County  in  executing  the  Resolves  of  said  Congress;  but 
although  they  have  entertained  hopes,  notwithstanding 
their  former  opposition,  that  they  would  do  it  at  tlieir 
stated  annual  town-meeting,  they  are  at  this  late  hour 
informed  that  the  said  annual  meeting  of  Shrewsbury  is 
broke  up  without  a  Committee  being  chosen,  or  any  one 
step  taken  whereby  the  least  disposition  is  discovered  of 
their  being  inclined  to  adopt  the  Resolutions  of  said  Con- 
gress. They  think  it  therefore  their  duty,  however  painful, 
the  declaration  to  bear  publick  testimony  against  them. 

And  we  do  unanimously  enter  into  tho  following  Re- 
solve, viz. :  That  from  and  after  this  day,  during  our 
continuance  as  a  Committee,  (unless  they  shall  turn  from 
the  evil  of  their  ways,  and  testify  their  respentance  by 
adopting  the  measures  of  the  Congress)  we  will  esteem 
and  treat  them,  the  said  inhabitants  of  Shrewsbury,  as 
enemies  to  their  King  and  Country,  and  deserters  from 
the  common  cause  of  true  freedom ;  and  we  will  here- 
after break  off  all  dealings  and  connection  with  them 
while  they  continue  their  opposition.  We  do  further- 
more recommend  the  same  conduct  towards  them  to  our 
constituents  and  all  others;  earnestly  hoping  it  may  be 
a  means  of  reclaiming  those  deluded  people  to  their 
duty  and  interest,  wliom  we  shall  always  be  pleased  to 
receive  and  treat  as  returning  prodigals. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Committee. 

Nathaniel  Scudder, 

Clerk. 
Freehold, 


100 


Freehold,  Monmouth  County,  Committee. 

April  3,  1775. 

Thomas  Leonard,  Esquire,  having  been  duly  notified 
to  appear  this  day  before  the  Committee  of  Inspection  for 
the  Township  of  Freehold,  in  the  County  of  Monmouth, 
New  Jersey,  and  answer  to  a  number  of  complaints 
made  against  him,  did  not  think  proper  to  attend. 

The  Committee  therefore  proceeded,  with  care  and  im- 
partiality, to  consider  the  evidence  laid  before  them,  and 
were  unanimously  of  opinion  that  the  said  Thomas  Leon- 
ard, Esquire,  has  in  a  number  of  instances  been  guilty  of 
a  breach  of  the  Continental  Association,  and  that,  pur- 
suant to  the  tenour  of  said  Association,  every  friend  of 
true  freedom  ought  immediately  to  break  off  all  con- 
nexion and  dealings  with  him,  the  said  Leonard,  and 
treat  him  as  a  foe  to  the  rights  of  British  America. 

Ordered,  That  their  Clerk  transmit  a  copy  of  this 
judgment  to  the  Press. 

Signed  accordingly  by 

Nath.  Scudder, 

Clerk. 


Newark 


101 


Newark  Committee. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  the 
Township  of  Newark,  April  24,  1775,  present  eighteen 
members. 

Mr.  Caleb  Camp,  Chairman. 

The  Chairman  having  opened  the  business  of  the  meet- 
ing, and  related  the  purport  of  the  expresses  lately  re- 
ceived from  Boston,  the  following  motions  were  made 
and  agreed  to  unanimously  : 

That  the  members  of  this  Committee  are  willing  at 
this  alarming  crisis  to  risk  their  lives  and  fortunes  in 
support  of  American  liberty  ;  and  that  it  be  recommended 
to  our  constituents  to  give  all  necessary  support  in  their 
power  to  our  brethren  in  the  Province  of  Massachusetts 
Bay  in  the  present  alarming  exigency. 

That  it  be  also  recommended  to  the  Captains  of  the 
Militia  in  this  Township  to  muster  and  exercise  their  re- 
spective Companies  at  least  once  in  every  week,  and  care- 
fully to  exact  that  each  man  be  provided  with  arms  and 
ammunition,  as  the  Militia  Law  directs. 

That  it  be  requested  of  all  heads  of  families  and  mas- 
ters of  apprentices  to  encourage  all  of  proper  age  under 
their  direction  to  learn  the  military  exercise,  and  to  allow 
them  such  portions  of  time  as  may  be  necessary  to  make 
them  perfect  therein. 

Robert  Johnston, 

Clerk. 


Proclamation 


102 


Proclamation  by  Governour  Franklin,  Perth  Amboy. 

By  his  Excellency  William  Franklin,  Esq.,  Captain - 
General,  Governour  and  Commander-in-Chief  in  and 
over  the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  and  Territories  thereon 
depending,  in  America,  Chancellor  and  Vice-Admiral  in 
the  same,  &c. 

A  PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas,  I  have  lately  received  despatches  from  one 
of  his  Majesty's  principal  Secretaries  of  State,  containing 
matters  of  great  importance  to  the  Colony  in  the  present 
situation  of  publick  affairs,  and  calculated  to  restore  that 
harmony  between  Great  Britain  and  her  American  Colo- 
nies so  essential  to  the  interest  and  happiness  of  both; 
and  being  desirous  of  communicating  the  same  as  early 
as  possible  to  the  General  Assembly  of  this  Colon}'  in 
order  to  give  them  an  opportunity  of  using  their  best 
endeavours  towards  effecting  so  desirable  a  purpose;  I 
have,  therefore,  thought  fit,  and  by  and  with  the  advice 
and  consent  of  his  Majesty's  Council  do  hereby  appoint 
the  said  General  Assembly  to  meet  at  the  City  of  Bur- 
lington, on  Monday  the  15th  day  of  May  next ;  of  which, 
all  His  Majesty's  subjects  concerned  therein,  are  required 
to  take  notice  and  govern  themselves  accordingly. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal  at  arms,  at  the  city  of 
Perth  Amboy,  the  twenty-eiglith  day  of  April,  in  the  fif- 
teenth year  of  the  year  of  the  reign  of  our  Sovereign 
Lord  King  George  the  Third,  Anno  Domini  one  thou- 
sand seven  hundred  and  seventy-five. 

William  Franklin. 
By  his  Excellency's  command, 

Charles  Pettit, 

D.  Secretary. 

God  save  the  King. 

Meeting 


103 


Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Perth  Amboy,  New 

Jersey. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  North  Ward  of 
the  City  of  Perth  Amboy,  on  Friday,  the  28th  of  April, 
1775. 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  James  Parker,  Stephen 
Skinner,  and  Jonathan  Deare,  Esquires,  or  any  two  of 
them  be  a  standing  Committee  of  Correspondence  for  the 
North  Ward  of  this  City. 

A  copy  of  a  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  Correspond- 
ence of  Princeton,  signed  by  Jonathan  D.  Sergeant, 
Esquire,  Clerk  to  the  said  Committee,  transmitted  by  the 
Committee  of  Woodbridge,  and  by  them  directed  to  the 
inhabitants  of  this  City  was  read,  wherein  after  mention- 
ing the  very  alarmiug  intelligence  lately  received,  a  Pro- 
vincial Congress  for  this  Province  is  proposed  to  be  held 
on  the  5th  day  of  May  next;  and  a  meeting  of  the  in- 
habitants being  now  caJled  that  their  sense  might  be 
taken  on  the  necessity  and  propriety  of  choosing  Depu- 
ties to  attend  the  said  Congress. 

The  question  was  thereupon  put  whether  Deputies 
shall  be  sent  or  not,  and  carried  in  the  affirmative  unani- 
mously. 

Jiimes  Parker,  Stephen  Skinner  and  Jonathan  Deare, 
Esquires,  were  then  nominated  as  Deputies  to  attend  the 
said  Congress  to  represent  this  City  and  were  unanimously 
chosen,  and  it  is  requested  that  they  or  any  one  or  more 
of  them  do  attend  the  said  Congress  accordingly. 

It  is  also  agreed  by  the  inhabitants  now  assembled 
that  the  expenses  of  the  Deputies  who  shall  attend  the 
said  Congress  be  defrayed  by  this  City. 

It  is  also  requested  that  Mr.  Deare  acquaint  the  Com- 
mittees of  Princeton  and  Woodbridge  of  the  proceedings 
of  this  meeting. 

By  order  of  the  meeting. 

John  Thomson, 

Clerk. 

Meetings 


104 


Meetings  of  Inhabitants  of  Morris  County,  New 

Jersey. 

Pursuant  to  an  apointment  of  a  meeting  of  the  Free- 
holders and  Inhabitants  of  the  County  of  Morris,  agree- 
able to  notice  given  by  the  former  Committee  of  Corres- 
pondence, the  said  Freeholders  and  Inhabitants  did  meet 
accordingly  on  Monday,  the  first  day  of  May,  Anno 
Domini,  1775. 

Jacob  Ford,  Esq.,  Chairman. 

William  De  Hart,  Esq.,  Clerk. 

And  came  into  the  following  Votes  and  Resolutions, 
to  wit: 

That  Delegates  be  chosen  to  represent  the  County  of 
Morris,  and  that  the  said  Delegates  be  vested  with  the 
power  of  legislation,  and  that  they  raise  Men,  Money  and 
Arms  for  the  common  defence,  and  point  out  the  mode, 
method  and  means  of  raising,  appointing  and  paying  the 
said  Men  and  Officers  subject  to  the  control  and  direction 
of  the  Provincial  and  Continental  Congress;  and  that  after- 
wards they  meet  in  Provincial  Congress  with  such  Counties 
as  shall  send  to  the  same  jointly  with  them  to  levy  taxes  on 
the  Province,  with  full  power  of  legislative  authority,  if 
they  think  proper  to  exercise  the  same  for  the  said  Province, 
and  the  said  Provincial  Congress  be  subject  to  the  con- 
trol of  the  Grand  Continental  Congress. 

And  they  proceeded  to  elect  the  following  persons  to  be 
their  Delegates  as  aforesaid,  to  wit : 

William  Winds,  Esquire,  William  De  Hart,  Esquire, 
Silas  Condit,  Peter  Dickerson,  Jacob  Drake,  Ellis  Cook, 
Jonathan  Stiles,  Esq.,  David  Thompson,  Esq.,  Abraham 
Kitchell. 

By  order, 

William  De  Hart, 

Clerk. 

And  pursuant  to  the  above  appointment  the  said  Dele- 
gates met  at  the  house  of  Captain  Peter  Dickerson,  at 

Morristown, 


105 


Morristown,  in  the  County  of  Morris,  on  the  first  day  of 
May,  1775. 

Present,  William  Winds,  Esquire,  William  De  Hart, 
Esq.,  Silas  Condit,  Peter  Dickerson,  Jacob  Drake,  Ellis 
Cook,  Jonathan  Stiles,  Esq.,  David  Thompson,  Esquire, 
Abraham  Kitchell. 

William  Winds,  Esq.,  was  unanimously  chosen  Chair- 
man.   Archibald  Dallas  was  appointed  Clerk. 

Voted  unanimously,  That  any  five  of  the  Delegates, 
when  met,  be  a  body  of  the  whole,  and  do  make  a  board, 
and  that  a  majority  of  them  so  met  should  make  a  vote. 

Voted  unanimously,  That  Forces  should  be  raised. 

Then  the  delegates  adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  nine 
o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  to  meet  at  the  house  of  Captain 
Peter  Dickerson  aforesaid. 


Tuesday,  Nine  o'clock.  May  2,  1775. 

Pursuant  to  adjournment  the  Delegates  met. 

Present,  William  Winds,  Esq.,  William  De  Hart,  Esq., 
Silas  Condit,  Peter  Dickerson,  Ellis  Cook,  Jonathan  Stiles, 
Esq.,  David  Thompson,  Esq.,  Abraham  Kitchell. 

Voted,  That  three  hundred  men  should  be  raised  ex- 
clusive of  Commissioned  Officers. 

Voted,  That  the  said  three  hundred  men  be  Volunteers. 

Voted,  That  the  three  hundred  men  so  raised  shall  be 
divided  in  Five  Companies,  sixty  men  each. 

Voted,  That  those  Companies  shall  be  commanded  by 
three  Commissioned  Officers,  viz. :  a  Captain  and  two 
Lieutenants. 

Voted,  That  two  Field  Officers  shall  be  appointed  and 
that  each  of  them  shall  supply  the  place  of  Captain  in 
the  two  first  Companies. 

Voted,  That  William  Winds  shall  be  Colonel. 

At  twelve  o'clock  adjourned,  to  meet  at  half  an  hour 
after  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

Half-past  one  o'clock. 

Met  according  to  adjournment.  All  the  Members 
present. 

Voted, 


106 


Voted,  That  William  De  Hart,  Esquire,  shall  be  Major. 

Voted,  That  Samuel  Ball,  Joseph  Morris  and  Daniel 
Budd  shall  be  Captains. 

Voted,  That  Jolni  Huntington  be  Captain-Lieutenant 
in  the  Colonel's  Company  and  Silas  Howell  to  be  Captain- 
Lieutenant  in  the  Major's  Company. 

J^oted.  That  the  Captain  of  each  Company  shall  appoint 
his  Lieutenants. 

Ordered,  That  the  Captains  shall  discipline  their  men 
at  the  rate  of  one  day  every  week,  and  to  continue  the 
same  till  further  orders;  and  the  times  be  appointed  and 
the  places  of  training  affixed  by  the  Captains. 

Voted,  That  in  case  of  any  invasion  or  alarm  either  in 
this  or  any  of  the  neighbouring  Provinces,  the  said 
Officers  and  men  shall  be  called  out  to  service  by  the 
Commanding  Officer  for  the  time  being ;  and  the  said  Offi- 
cers and  men  shall  be  paid  as  follows,  viz. :  Captains,  Seven 
Shillings,  Proclamation  money  per  day  ;  First  Lieuten- 
ants, Six  Shillings  per  day  ;  Second  Lieutenants,  Five 
Shillings  per  day;  Sergeants,  Three  Shillings  and  Six 
Pence  per  day  ;  Private  men,  Three  Shillings  per  day 
and  found  with  Provisions,  Arms,  and  Ammunition; 
and  when  only  in  discipline  at  home  the  same  wages 
and  to  find  themselves  and  their  wages  to  be  paid  every 
two  months. 

Voted,  That  the  following  be  the  form  of  the  Enlisting 
paper  to  be  signed  by  the  recruits  : 

"  We,  the  subscribers,  do  voluntarily  enlist  in  the  Com- 
pany of  Captain  ,  to  be  and  serve  in  the  Regi- 
ment under  the  command  of  Colonel  William  Winds,  in 
this  or  any  of  the  neighbouring  Provinces  where  we  may 
be  called  agreeable  to  certain  Resolves  made  and  entered 
into  by  the  Delegates  for  the  County  of  Morris." 

Ordered,  That  five  hundred  weight  of  Powder  and  a 
ton  of  Lead  be  purchased  and  kept  in  a  Magazine  for  the 
use  of  the  new  Regiment  now  to  be  raised  for  the  County 
of  Morris. 

Voted,  That  William  DeHart,  Esquire,  be  appointed  to 
purchase  the  said  Powder  and  Lead. 

Voted,  That  the  Votes  and  Resolves  of  this  meeting 
shall  be  subject  to  the  control  of  the  Provincial  and  Con- 
tinental 


107 


tinontal  Congresses,  to  take  place  after  due  notice  being 
given  to  us  by  either  of  the  said  Congresses,  of  their  dis- 
approbation of  all  or  any  of  our  proceedings. 

And  the  Delegates  taking  into  consideration  the  un- 
l)ai)py  circumstances  of  tliis  Country  do  recommend  to 
the  inhabitants  of  this  County  capable  of  bearing  arms, 
to  provide  themselves  with  Arms  and  Ammunition  to 
defend  their  Country  in  case  of  any  invasion. 

Adjourned  till  the  ninth  day  of  this  month  at  nine 
o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  to  meet  at  the  house  of  Captain 
Peter  Dickerson,  in  Morristown. 


Woodbridge  Committee  to  the  several  Committees 
of  Massachusetts. 

In  Committee,  Woodbridge,  New  Jersey,  \ 
May,  1,  1775.  / 

Gentlemen  : — We  have  received  repeated  intelligence 
by  expresses  of  your  engaging  and  defeating  the  Reg- 
ulars under  the  command  of  General  Gage,  which  is 
universally  credited  in  this  Colony  ;  and  we  have  the 
pleasure  of  assuring  you  your  conduct  and  bravery  on 
that  occasion  is  greatly  applauded  and  admired  by  all 
ranks  of  men.  In  consequence  of  the  intelligence  a 
Provincial  Convention  will  be  held  as  soon  as  the  Mem- 
bers can  possibly  be  convened ;  in  the  meantime  the 
inhabitants  are  putting  themselves  in  the  best  posture  of 
defence,  being  determined  to  stand  or  fall  with  the  liber- 
ties 


108 


ties  of  America.  We  have  for  some  time  past  feared  the 
New-Yorkers  would  desert  American  liberty  but  are  now 
fully  convinced  by  their  late  spirited  conduct  that  they 
are  determined  to  support  the  grand  cause.  We  also 
learn  with  pleasure  that  the  inhabitants  of  Pennsylvania 
and  the  other  Southern  Provinces  are  firm,  unanimous 
and  spirited.  We  have  only  to  add  that  you  have  our 
unfeigned  and  hearty  thanks  for  the  noble  stand  you 
have  made,  and  our  sincere  and  fervent  prayers  for  a 
speedy  deliverance  from  all  your  calamities. 

We  are  very  respectfully,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedi- 
ent humble  servants. 

By  order  of  the  Committee. 

Moses  Bloomfield, 
Chairman. 


/ 


New  Jersey  Committee  of  Correspondence. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  New  Jersey  Provincial  Committee 
of  Correspondence,  (appointed  by  the  Provincial  Con- 
gress,) at  the  City  of  New  Brunswick,  on  Tuesday,  the 
second  day  of  May,  Anno  Domini,  1775,  agreeable  to 
summons  of  Hendrick  Fisher,  Esq.,  Chairman. 

Present,  Hendrick  Fisher,  Samuel  Tucker,  Joseph  Bor- 
den, Joseph  Riggs,  Isaac  Pearson,  John  Chetwood,  Lewis 
Ogden,  Isaac  Ogden,  Abraham  Hunt  and  Elias  Boudinot, 
Esquires. 

The  Committee  having  seriously  taken  into  consider- 
ation, 


109 


ation,  as  well  the  present  alarming  and  very  extraordi- 
nary conduct  of  the  British  Ministry,  for  carrying  into 
execution  sundry  Acts  of  Parliament  for  the  express  pur- 
pose of  raising  a  revenue  in  America,  and  other  unconsti- 
tutional measures  therein  mentioned ;  and  also  the  sev- 
eral acts  of  hostility  that  they  have  actually  commenced 
for  this  purpose  by  the  Regular  Forces  under  General 
Gage  against  our  brethren  of  the  Colon}^  of  Massachu- 
setts Bay,  in  New  England,  and  not  knowing  how  soon 
this  Province  may  be  in  a  state  of  confusion  and  dis- 
order if  there  are  not  some  effectual  measures  speedily 
taken  to  prevent  the  same;  this  Committee  are  unani- 
mously of  opinion  and  do  hereby  advise  and  direct  that 
the  Chairman  do  immediately  call  a  Provincial  Congress 
to  meet  at  Trenton  on  Tuesday,  the  twenty-third  day  of 
this  instant,  in  order  to  consider  of  and  determine  such 
matters  as  may  then  and  there  come  before  them ;  and 
the  several  Counties  are  hereby  desired  to  nominate  and 
appoint  their  respective  Deputies  for  the  same  as  speedily 
as  may  be,  with  full  and  ample  powers  for  such  purposes 
as  may  be  thought  necessary  for  the  peculiar  exigencies 
of  this  Province. 

The  Committee  do  also  direct  their  Chairman  to  for- 
ward true  copies  of  the  above  minute  to  the  several 
County  Committees  of  this  Province  without  delay. 

Hendrick  Fisher, 
Chairman. 


Meeting 


110 


Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Acquackanonk,  Essex 
County,  New  Jersey. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  Inhabitants  of  the 
Township  of  Acquackanonk  in  said  County,  held  at  Mr. 
James  Leslie's,  near  Acquackanonk  Bridge,  on  Wednes- 
day, the  3d  day  of  May,  Anno  Domini,  1775,  an  Associa- 
tion was  then  and  there  entered  into  and  subscribed  by 
the  Freeholders  and  Inhabitants  of  said  Township,  being 
verbatim  the  same  as  that  entered  into  by  the  Freehold- 
ers and  Inhabitants  at  Newark,  in  said  County,  the  fol- 
lowing gentlemen  in  number  twenty-three  were  then 
chosen  or  elected  a  General  Committee  agreeable  to  said 
Association. 

Michael  Vreeland,  Esq.,  in  the  Chair. 

Henry  Garritse,  Peter  Peterse,  John  Berry,  Robert 
Drummond,  Captain  Francis  Post,  Thomas  Post,  Daniel 
Niel,  Richard  Ludlow,  Captain  Abraham  Godwin,  John 
Spier,  Jacob  Van  Riper,  Lucas  Wessels,  Francis  Van 
AVinkle,  Cornelius  Van  Winkle,  Henry  Post,  Junior, 
Doctor  Walter  Degraw,  John  Peer,  Jacob  Garritse,  Jacob 
Vreeland,  Abraham  Van  Riper,  Stephen  R3'der.  Doctor 
Nicholas  Roche,  Committee  Clerk. 

Of  the  same  number  were  chosen  the  following  Dele- 
gates to  attend  the  Provincial  Convention  to  be  held  at 
Trenton,  the  23d  instant,  agreeable  to  the  aforesaid  Asso- 
ciation, to  represent  said  Township:  Henry  Garritse, 
Robert  Drummond,  Michael  Vreeland  and  John  Berry, 
Esquires. 

Peter  Peterse,  Esquire,  Daniel  Niel,  Richard  Ludlow, 
Thomas  Post  and  Doctor  Nicholas  Roche,  are  appointed 
a  Committee  of  Correspondence  for  said  Township  ;  Dan- 
iel Niel,  Deputy  Chairman  to  the  General  Committee, 
and  Richard  Ludlow,  Deputy  Clerk. 


Town -Meeting, 


Ill 


Town-Meeting,  Upper  Freehold,  Monmouth  County, 
New  Jersey. 

Monmouth  County,  Upper  Freehold,  May  4,  1775. 

This  day  agreeable  to  previous  notice  a  very  consider- 
able number  of  the  principal  inhabitants  of  this  Town- 
ship met  at  Imlay's-Town  : 

John  Lawrence,  Esquire,  in  the  chair. 

When  the  following  Resolves  were  unanimously 
agreed  to  : 

Resolved,  That  it  is  our  first  wish  to  live  in  union  with 
Great  Britain  agreeable  to  the  principles  of  the  Constitu- 
tion;  that  we  consider  the  unnatural  civil  war  which  we 
are  about  to  be  forced  into,  with  anxiety  and  distress; 
but  that  we  are  determined  to  oppose  the  novel  claim  of 
the  Parliament  of  Great  Britain  to  raise  a  revenue  in 
America  and  risk  every  possible  consequence  rather  than 
submit  to  it. 

Resolved,  That  it  appears  to  this  meeting  that  there  are 
a  sufficient  number  of  Arms  for  the  people. 

Resolved,  That  a  sum  of  money  be  now  raised  to  pur- 
chase what  further  quantity  of  Powder  and  Ball  may  be 
necessary;  and  it  is  recommended  that  every  man  capa- 
ble of  bearing  arms  enter  into  Companies  to  train  and 
be  prepared  to  march  at  a  minute's  warning;  and  it  is 
further  recommended  to  the  people  that  they  do  not 
waste  their  Powder  in  fowling  or  hunting. 

A  subscription  was  then  opened,  and  One  Hundred 
and  Sixty  Pounds  instantly  paid  into  the  hands  of  a 
person  appointed  for  that  purpose.  The  Officers  of  four 
Companies  were  then  chosen,  and  the  meeting  broke  up 
in  perfect  unanimity. 

Elisha  Lawrence, 

Clerk. 


Town-Meeting, 


112 


Town-Meeting,  Newark,  New  Jersey. 

Newark,  New  Jersey,  May  4,  1775. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  Inhabitants  of 
tlie  Township  of  Newark,  in  New  Jersey,  on  Thursday, 
the  4th  day  of  May,  A.  D.  1775. 

Doctor  William  Burnett  in  the  Chair. 

An  Association  having  been  entered  into  and  sub- 
scribed by  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  said 
Town,  a  motion  was  made  and  agreed  to,  that  the  same 
be  read.  The  same  was  accordingly  read,  and  is  as 
follows : 

"We,  the  Freeholders  and  Inhabitants  of  the  Town- 
ship of  Newark,  having  deliberately  considered  the  openly 
avowed  design  of  the  Ministry  of  Great  Britain  to  raise  a 
revenue  in  America;  being  affected  with  horrour  at  the 
bloody  scene  now  acting  in  the  Massachusetts  Bay,  for 
carrying  that  arbitrary  design  into  execution  ;  firmly 
convinced  that  the  very  existence  of  the  rights  and  liber- 
ties of  America  can,  under  God,  subsist  on  no  other  basis 
than  the  most  animated  and  perfect  union  of  its  inhabit- 
ants; and  being  sensible  of  the  necessity  in  the  present 
exigency  of  preserving  good  order  and  a  due  regulation 
in  all  public  measures;  with  hearts  perfectly  abhorrent  of 
slavery,  do  solemnly,  under  all  the  sacred  ties  of  religion, 
honour  and  love  to  our  Country,  associate  and  resolve 
that  we  will  personally,  and  as  far  as  our  influence  can 
extend,  endeavour  to  support  and  carry  into  execution 
whatever  measures  may  be  recommended  by  the  Conti- 
nental Congress  or  agreed  upon  by  the  proposed  Conven- 
tion of  Deputies  of  this  Province,  for  the  purpose  of  pre- 
serving and  fixing  our  Constitution  on  a  permanent 
basis,  and  opposing  the  execution  of  the  several  despotick 
and  oppressive  Acts  of  British  Parliament,  until  the 
wished  for  reconciliation  between  Great  Britain  and 
America  on  constitutional  principles  can  be  obtained. 

"  That  a  General  Committee  be  chosen  by  this  Town 

for 


113 


for  tlic  purposes  aforesaid,  and  that  we  will  be  directed  by, 
and  support  them  in  all  things  respecting  the  'common 
cause,  the  preservation  of  peace,  good  order,  the  safety  of 
individuals  and  private  property.'" 

Voted,  That  Isaac  Ogden,  Esquire,  Captain  Philip  Van 
Cortlandt,  Bethuel  Pierson  and  Caleb  Camp  be  tlie  Depu- 
ties to  represent  said  Township  in  the  Provincial  Con- 
gress referred  to  in  the  said  Association. 

The  General  Committee  also  mentioned  in  the  said 
Association  was  then  chosen,  consisting  of  forty-four. 

Agreed,  That  the  powers  delegated  to  the  Deputies  and 
General  Committee  continue  until  the  expiration  of  five 
weeks  after  the  rising  of  the  next  Continental  Congress 
and  no  longer. 

Agreed,  That  the  General  Committee  have  power  to 
appoint  one  or  more  Sub-Committees,  to  act  on  any 
emergency. 

Isaac  Longworth, 

Town  Clerk. 

The  General  Committee  immediately  convened  and 
elected  Lewis  Ogden,  Esquire,  Chairman,  Doctor  Wil- 
liam Burnett,  Deputy  Chairman,  and  Elisha  Boudinot, 
Esq.,  Clerk  of  the  said  General  Committee. 

Agreed,  That  the  above  named  Lewis  Ogden.  Esquire, 
Doctor  William  Burnett,  Elisha  Boudinot,  Esquire,  Isaac 
Ogden,  Esquire,  and  Mr.  Isaac  Longworth  be  a  Commit- 
tee of  Correspondence  for  said  Town. 

Elisha  Boudinot, 
Clerk  to  Committee. 


9 


Somerset 


114 


Somerset  County  Committee. 

Pursuant  to  notice  given  by  the  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Correspondence  for  the  County  of  Somerset  in 
New  Jersey,  the  Freeholders  of  the  County  met  at  the 
Court-House,  the  11th  day  of  May,  1775. 

Hendrick  Fisher,  Esq.,  chosen  Chairman. 

Frederick  Frelinghuysen,  Clerk. 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  several  steps  taken  by  the  British 
Ministry  to  enslave  the  American  Colonies  and  especially 
the  late  alarming  hostilities  commenced  by  the  Troops 
under  General  Gage  against  the  inhabitants  of  Massa- 
chusetts Bay,  loudly  call  on  the  people  of  this  Province 
to  determine  what  part  they  wmII  act  in  this  situation  of 
affairs;  and  that  we  therefore  readily  consent  to  elect 
Deputies  for  a  Provincial  Congress  to  meet  at  Trenton, 
on  Tuesday,  the  23d  instant,  agreeable  to  the  advice  and 
direction  of  the  Provincial  Committee  of  Correspond- 
encce. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  number  of  Deputies  shall  be  nine 
and  that  they  shall  be  chosen  by  ballot. 

Adjourned  for  an  hour. 

Four  o'clock  the  people  re-assembled. 

Hendiick  Fisher,  John  Roy,  Esquires,  Mr.  Frederick 
Frelinghuysen,  Mr.  Enos  Kelsey,  Peter  Schenck,  Jona- 
than D.  Sergeant,  Nathaniel  Airs,  William  Patterson,  and 
Abraham  Van  Nest,  Esquires,  are  appointed  Deputies  for 
this  Count}',  who  or  any  five  of  them  are  hereby  empow- 
ered to  meet  the  Deputies  from  the  other  Counties  \\\ 
Provincial  Congress  at  Trenton,  on  Tuesday,  the  23d 
instant,  and  to  agree  to  all  such  measures  as  shall  be 
judged  necessary  for  the  preservation  of  our  constitu- 
tional rights  and  privileges. 

Resolved,  That  the  Deputies  for  this  County  be  in- 
structed, and  they  are  hereby  instructed  to  join  with  the 
Deputies  from  the  other  Counties  in  forming  such  plan 
for  the  Militia  of  this  Province  as  to  them  shall  seem 

proper ; 


115 


proper;  and  we  heartily  agree  to  arm  and  support  such 
a  number  of  men  as  they  shall  order  to  be  raised  in  this 
County. 

Resolved,  That  this  County  will  pay  the  expenses  of 
their  Deputies  who  sliall  attend  the  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  Messrs  Tobias  Van  Norden  and  Daniel 
Blackford  be  added  to  the  Committee  of  Observation  for 
the  Township  of  Bridgewater. 

By  order. 

Frederick  Frelinghuysen, 

Clerk. 


Bergen  County  Committee  Chamber. 

May  12,  1775. 

Resolved,  That  John  Fell,  Esquire,  TheunisDey,  Esquire, 
Thomas  Brown,  Esquire,  Peter  Zabriskie,  Esq.,  John 
Demarest,  Esquire,  Mr.  Samuel  Berry,  Mr.  Cornelius  Van 
Vorst,  Mr.  Isaac  Noble,  Mr.  Aarent  J.  Schuyler,  Mr.  Jacob 
Terhune,  Doctor  Abraham  Van  Boskirk,  John  Van  Bos- 
kirk,  Esquire,  Mr.  Gabriel  Ogden,  Mr.  Jost  Zabriskie  and 
Mr.  Gabriel  Van  Orden  be  a  Standing  Committee  of 
Correspondence  for  this  County,  and  that  any  five  of 
them  of  which  the  President  or  Vice  President  to  be  one 
have  power  to  act. 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  the  above  Resolve  be  printed 
in  the  New  York  Newspapers. 

By  order  of  the  Committee, 

John  Fell, 
Chairman. 


At 


116 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  for 
Bergen  County,  New  Jersey,  May  12,  1775. 

Present,  John  Fell,  Theunis  Dey,  Thomas  Brown,  John 
Demarest,  Esquires,  Messrs.  Cornelius  Van  Vorst,  Isaac 
Nohle,  Jacob  Terhune,  Doctor  Abraham  Van  Boskirk, 
John  Van  Boskirk,  Esquire,  Messrs.  Gabriel  Ogden,  Jost 
Zabriskie  and  Gabriel  Van  Orden. 

John  Demarest,  Esq.,  chosen  President.  Mr.  Gabriel 
Van  Orden  chosen  Vice  President. 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  the  above  proceedings  be  pub- 
lished in  the  New  York  Newspapers. 

By  order  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence. 

John  Demarest, 
President. 


Assembly 


Assembly  of  New  Jersey. 


Votes  and  Proceedings  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Colony  of  New  Jersey,  at  a  sitting  begun  at  Burlington, 
Monday,  May  15, 1775,  and  continued  until  the  twentieth 
day  of  the  same  month,  being  the  first  sitting  of  the 
Fourth  Session  of  the  Twenty-second  Assembly  of  New 
Jersey. 

NAMES  OF  THE  REPRESENTATIVES. 

City  of  Perth  Amboy — Cortland  Skinner,  Speaker ;  John 
Combs. 

Middlesex — John  Wetherill,  Azariah  Dunham. 
Monmouth — Edward  Taylor,  Richard  Lawrence. 
Essex — Stephen  Crane,  Henry  Garritse. 
Somerset — Hendrick  Fisher,  John  Ray. 
Bergen — Theunis  Dey,  John  Demarest. 
Morris — Jacob  Ford,  William  Winds. 
City  of  Burlington — James  Kinsey,  Thomas  P  Hew- 
lings. 

County  of  Burlington — Henry  Paxson,  Anthony  Sykes. 
Gloucester — John  Hincliman,  Robert  F.  Price. 
Salem — Grant  Gibbon,  Benjamin  Holme. 
Cape  May — Jonathan  Hand,  Eli  Eldridge. 
Hunterdon — Samuel  Tucker,  John  Mehelm. 
Cumberland— John  Sheppard,  Theophilus  Elmer. 
Sussex — Nathaniel  Pettit,  Joseph  Barton. 


Burlington,  Monday,  May  15,  1775. 

Pursuant  to  his  Excellency's  several  prorogations  of 
the  General  Assembly  from  time  to  time  till  this  day,  the 
House  met. 

Azariah  Dunham,  Esq.,  being  duly  returned  a  Repre- 
sentative 


4 


118 


sentative  to  serve  in  the  General  Assembly  for  the  County 
of  Middlesex  and  now  attending,  was  admitted  into  the 
House  and  took  the  usual  oaths,  and  made  and  sub- 
scribed the  declaration  by  law  appointed,  before  Cortland 
Skinner,  Esq.,  thereto  authorized  be  dedimus  potestatem. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Dunham  do  take  his  seat  in  the 
House. 

Tlie  House  adjourned  till  three  P.  M. 
The  House  met. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Fisher  and  Mr.  Wetherill  do  wait 
upon  his  Excellenc}'^  and  acquaint  him  that  a  sufficient 
number  of  Members  to  constitute  a  House  are  met,  and 
are  ready  to  receive  any  thing  he  may  please  to  lay  be- 
fore them. 

Mr.  Speaker  laid  before  the  House  a  Letter  to  him 
from  William  Bollan,  Benjamin  Franklin  and  Arthur 
Lee,  Esquires,  dated  London,  December  24,  1774;  which 
was  read. 

Mr.  Speaker  also  laid  before  the  House  a  Letter  to  him 
from  the  Honourable  John  Cruger,  Esquire,  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Representatives  of  the  Province  of  New  York, 
enclosing  their  Petition  to  the  King,  the  Memorial  to  the 
House  of  Lords,  and  a  Representation  to  the  House  of 
Commons,  a  List  of  Grievances,  and  the  Resolutions 
entered  into  by  the  General  Assembly  there  on  the  eighth 
of  March  last;  all  of  which  were  read. 

Mr.  Fisher  reported  that  Mr.  Wetherill  and  himself 
waited  upon  his  Excellency  with  the  message  of  the 
House  according  to  order,  and  tliat  his  Excellency  was 
pleased  to  say  that  the  House  should  hear  from  him  to- 
morrow morning. 

The  House  adjourned  till  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Tuesday,  May  16, 1775. 
The  House  met  and  adjourned  till  three  P.  M. 
The  House  met. 

A 


119 


A  Message  from  his  Excellency  by  Mr.  Deputy  Secre- 
tary Petti  t: 

Mr.  Speaker: — His  Excellency  is  in  the  Council 
Chamber  and  requires  the  immediate  attendance  of  the 
House, 

Whereupon  Mr.  Speaker  left  the  Chair,  and  with  the 
House  went  to  wait  upon  his  Excellenc}' ;  and  being  re- 
turned Mr.  Speaker  resumed  the  Chair,  and  reported  that 
the  House  had  waited  on  his  Excellency,  who  was  pleased 
to  make  a  speech  to  the  Council  and  House  of  Assembly, 
of  which  Mr.  Speaker  said  he  had  to  prevent  mistakes 
obtained  a  copy.  And  the  same  by  order  of  the  House 
was  read,  and  is  as  follows,  viz.: 

Gentlemen  of  the  Council,  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Assembly  : 

The  sole  occasion  of  ray  calling  you  together  at  this 
time  is  to  lay  before  you  a  Resolution  of  the  House  of 
Commons,  wisely  and  humanely  calculated  to  open  a 
door  for  the  restoration  of  that  harmony  between  Great 
Britain  and  her  American  Colonies,  on  wiiich  their 
mutual  welfare  and  happiness  so  greatly  depend. 

This  Resolution  having  already  appeared  in  the  pub- 
lick  papers  and  a  great  variety  of  interpretations  put 
upon  it  mostly  according  to  the  different  views  and  dis- 
positions by  which  men  are  actuated,  and  scarcely  any 
having  seen  it  in  its  proper  light,  I  think  I  cannot,  at 
this  critical  juncture,  better  answer  the  gracious  purposes 
of  His  Majesty  nor  do  my  Country  more  essential  service 
than  to  lay  before  you  as  full  an  explanation  of  the  occa- 
sion, purport  and  intent  of  it  as  is  in  my  power.  By  this 
means  you  and  the  good  people  you  represent  will  be 
enabled  to  judge  for  yourselves  how  far  you  ought  or 
ought  not  to  acquiesce  with  the  plan  it  contains,  and  what 
steps  it  will  be  prudent  for  you  to  take  on  this  very  im- 
portant occasion. 

You  will  see  in  the  King's  answer  to  the  joint  Address 
of  both  Houses  of  Parliament  on  the  seventh  of  Febru- 
ary, how  much  attention  His  Majesty  was  graciousl}'' 
pleased  to  give  to  the  assurance  held  out  in  that  Address, 

of 


120 


of  tlie  readiness  of  Parliament  to  afiord  every  just  and 
reasonable  indulgence  to  the  Colonies,  whenever  they 
should  make  a  proper  application  on  the  ground  of  any 
real  grievance  they  might  have  to  complain  of.  This 
Address  was  accordingly  soon  after  followed  by  the  Reso- 
lution of  the  House  of  Commons  now  laid  before  you,  a 
circumstance  which  afforded  His  Majesty  great  satisfac- 
tion, as  it  gave  room  to  hope  for  a  happy  effect,  and 
would  at  all  events  ever  remain  an  evidence  of  their  jus- 
tice and  moderation,  and  manifest  the  temper  which  has 
accompanied  their  deliberations  upon  that  question 
which  has  been  the  source  of  so  much  disquiet  to  the 
King's  subjects  in  America. 

His  Majesty  ardently  wishing  to  see  a  reconciliation  of 
the  unhappy  differences  by  eyery  means  through  which 
it  may  be  obtained,  without  prejudice  to  the  just  authority 
of  Parliament,  which  His  Majesty  will  never  suffer  to  be 
violated,  has  approved  the  Resolution  of  his  faithful 
Commons,  and  has  commanded  it  to  be  transmitted  to 
the  Governours  of  his  Colonies,  not  doubting  that  this 
happy  disposition  to  comply  with  every  just  and  reason- 
able wish  of  the  King's  subjects  in  America  will  meet 
with  such  a  return  of  duty  and  affection  on  their  part  as 
will  lead  to  a  happy  issue  of  the  present  dispute,  and  to 
a  re-establishment  of  the  publick  tranquility  on  these 
grounds  of  equity,  justice  and  moderation  which  this 
Resolution  holds  forth. 

What  has  given  the  King  the  greater  satisfaction  in 
this  Resolution,  and  the  greater  confidence  in  the  good 
effects  of  it,  is  his  having  seen  that  amidst  all  the  intem- 
perance into  which  a  people  jealous  of  their  liberties 
have  been  unfortunately  misled,  they  have,  nevertheless, 
avowed  the  justice,  the  equity  and  the  propriety  of  sub- 
jects of  the  same  State  contributing  according  to  their 
abilities  and  situation  to  the  publick  burdens ;  and  this 
Resolution,  it  is  thought,  holds  no  proposition  beyond 
that. 

It  would  probably  be  deemed  unjust  to  suppose  that 
any  of  the  King's  subjects  in  the  Colonies  can  so  far  for- 
get the  benefits  they  have  received  from  the  Parent  State 
as  not  to  acknowledge  that  it  is  to  her  support  held  forth 

at 


121 


at  the  expense  of  her  blood  and  treasure,  that  they 
principal  1}'  owe  that  security  which  hath  raised  them  to 
their  present  state  of  opulence  and  imfjortance.  In  this 
situation,  therefore,  justice  requires  that  they  should  in 
return  contribute  according  to  their  respective  abilities 
to  the  common  defence;  and  their  own  welfare  and  inter- 
est demand  that  civil  establishment  should  be  supported 
with  becoming  dignity. 

It  has  been  the  care  and  it  is  the  firm  determination  of 
Parliament  to  see  that  both  these  ends  are  answered  and 
their  wisdom  and  moderation  have  suggested  the  pro- 
priety of  leaving  to  each  Colony  to  judge  of  the  ways 
and  means  of  making  due  provision  for  these  purposes 
reserving  to  themselves  a  discretionary  power  of  approv- 
ing or  disapproving  what  shall  be  offered. 

The  Resolution  neither  points  out  what  the  civil  estab- 
lishment should  be  nor  demands  any  specifick  sum  in  aid 
of  the  publick  burdens.  In  both  these  respects  it  leaves 
full  scope  for  that  justice  and  liberality  which  may  be 
expected  from  Colonies  that  under  all  their  prejudices 
have  never  been  wanting  in  expressions  of  an  affectionate 
attachment  to  the  motber  country  and  a  zealous  regard 
for  the  general  welfare  of  the  British  Empire;  and  there- 
fore the  King  trusts  that  the  provision  they  will  engage 
to  make  for  the  support  of  civil  government  will  be  ade- 
quate to  the  rank  and  station  of  every  necessar}^  officer 
and  that  the  sum  to  be  given  in  contribution  to  the  com- 
mon defence  will  be  offered  on  such  terms,  and  proposed 
in  such  a  way  as  to  increase  or  diminish  according  as  the 
publick  burdens  of  Great  Britain  are  from  time  to  time 
augmented  or  reduced  in  so  far  as  these  burdens  consist 
of  taxes  and  duties  which  are  not  a  security  for  the 
National  Debt. 

By  such  a  mode  of  contribution,  the  Colonies  will  liave 
full  security  that  they  can  never  be  required  to  tax 
themselves  without  Parliament's  taxing  the  subjects  in 
Great  Britain  in  a  far  greater  proportion  ;  and  it  may  be 
relied  upon  that  any  proposition  of  this  nature  made  by 
any  of  the  Colonies  and  accompanied  with  such  a  state 
of  their  faculties  and  ability  as  may  evince  the  equity  of 
the  proposal  will  be  received  with  every  possible  indul- 
gence, 


122 


gence,  provided  it  be  at  the  same  time  unaccompanied 
with  any  declarations  and  unmixed  with  any  claims 
which  will  make  it  impossible  for  the  King  consistently 
with  his  own  dignity,  or  for  Parliament  consistently  with 
their  constitutional  rights  to  receive  it.  But  it  is  not 
supposed  that  any  of  the  Colonies  will  after  this  example 
of  the  temper  and  moderation  of  Parliament  adopt  such 
a  conduct.  On  the  contrary  the  pleasing  hope  is  cher- 
ished that  the  publick  peace  will  be  restored  and  that 
the  Colonies  will  enter  into  the  consideration  of  the  Reso- 
lution of  the  House  of  Commons  with  that  calmness  and 
deliberation  which  the  importance  of  it  demands  and 
with  that  good  will  and  inclination  to  a  reconciliation 
which  are  due  to  the  candour  and  justice  with  which 
Parliament  has  taken  up  this  business  and  at  once  de- 
clared to  the  Colonies  what  will  be  ultimately  expected 
from  them. 

It  has  been  already  observed  that  the  King  entirely 
approves  the  Resolution  of  the  House  of  Commons,  and 
I  have  his  Majesty's  commands  to  say  that  a  compliance 
therewith  by  the  General  Assembly  will  be  most  gracious- 
ly considered  by  his  Majesty  not  only  as  a  testimony  of 
their  reverence  for  Parliament,  but  also  as  a  mark  of 
their  duty  and  attachment  to  their  Sovereign,  who  has 
no  object  nearer  to  his  heart  than  the  peace  and  pros- 
perity of  his  subjects  in  every  part  of  his  Dominions. 
At  the  same  time  I  must  tell  you  his  Majesty  considers 
himself  as  bound,  by  every  tie,  to  exert  those  means  the 
Constitution  has  placed  in  his  hands  for  preserving  that 
Constitution  entire,  and  to  resist  with  firmness,  every 
attempt  to  violate  the  rights  of  Parliament,  to  distress 
and  obstruct  the  lawful  commerce  of  his  subjects  or  to 
encourage  in  the  Colonies  ideas  of  independence  incon- 
sistent with  their  connexion  with  Great  Britain. 

Here,  gentlemen,  you  have  a  full  and  candid  state  of 
the  disposition  and  expectations  of  his  Majesty  and  the 
Parliament.  They  require  nothing  of  America  but  what 
the  Colonies  have  repeatedly  professed  themselves  ready 
and  willing  to  perform.  A  late  Assembly  of  this  Province, 
in  their  Petition  to  the  King  in  1766,  express  themselves 
thus :  "  As  uo  danger  can  approach  Britain  without  giv- 
ing 


123 


ing  us  the  most  sensible  alarm,  so  your  Majesty  may  be 
assured,  that  with  filial  duty  we  shall  ever  be  ready  to 
afford  all  the  assistance  in  our  power,  and  stand  or  fall 
with  that  Kingdom  from  which  we  boast  our  descent, 
and  to  which  we  are  attached  by  the  strongest  ties  of  duty, 
gratitude  and  affection."  And  in  a  subsequent  Petition 
tiiey  say:  "Very  far  it  is  from  our  intentions  to  deny 
our  subordination  to  that  august  body,  (the  Parliament,) 
or  our  dependanceon  the  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain.  In 
these  connexions  and  in  the  settlement  of  our  liberties 
under  the  auspicious  influence  of  your  Royal  House,  we 
know  our  happiness  consists;  and,  therefore,  to  confirm 
those  connexions,  and  to  strengthen  this  settlement,  is  at 
once  our  interest,  duty,  and  delight. 

Similar  declarations  have  been  repeatedly  made  in 
other  Colonies. 

The  following  vote  was  passed  in  the  Assembly  of 
Pennsylvania,  to  wit:  "The  House,  taking  into  consid- 
eration the  many  taxes  their  fellow-subjects  in  Great 
Britain  are  oblidged  to  pay  towards  supporting  the  dignity 
of  the  Crown,  and  defraying  the  necessary  and  contin- 
gent charges  of  the  Government,  and  willing  to  demon- 
strate the  fidelity,  loyalty,  and  affection  of  the  inhabitants 
of  this  Province  to  our  gracious  Sovereign,  by  bearing  a 
share  of  the  burden  of  our  fellow-subjects,  proportionable 
to  our  circumstances,  do,  threfore,  cheerfully  and  unani- 
mously resolve  that  three  thousand  Pounds  be  paid  for 
the  use  of  the  King,  his  heirs  and  successors,  to  be  applied 
to  such  uses  as  he  in  his  royal  wisdom  shall  think  fit  to 
direct  and  appoint."  And  the  said  three  thousand  Pounds 
was  afterwards  paid  into  his  Majesty's  Exchequer  by  the 
Agent  of  the  Province  accordingly. 

Nor  can  I  avoid  mentioning  what  was  done  in  the 
Convention  of  Committees  from  every  County  of  Penn- 
sylvania, who  met  in  July  last  for  the  express  purpose  of 
giving  instructions  to  their  Representatives  in  Assembly 
on  this  very  subject.  Several  of  these  instructions  man- 
ifest such  a  candour  and  liberality  of  sentiment,  such 
just  ideas  of  the  importance  of  our  connexion  with  Great 
Britain,  and  point  out  so  rational  a  method  to  be  pursued 
for  obtaining  a  redress  for  the  supposed  grievances,  (pre- 
vious 


124 


vious  to  any  attempts  to  distress  the  trade  of  that  King- 
dom,) that  it  is  greatly  to  be  regretted  that  the  conduct  of 
America,  in  a  matter  of  such  vast  importance  to  its  future 
welfare,  had  not  been  regulated  by  the  principles  and 
advice  they  suggested.  In  those  instructions,  speaking 
of  the  powers  Parliament  had  claimed  and  lately  exer- 
cised, the  Convention  say:  "  We  are  thoroughly  con- 
vinced they  will  prove  unfailing  and  plentiful  sources  of 
dissensions  to  our  Mother  Country  and  these  Colonies, 
unless  some  expedients  can  be  adopted  to  render  her 
secure  of  receiving  from  us  every  emolument  that  can, 
in  justice  and  reason,  be  expected,  and  us  secure  in  our 
lives,  properties  and  an  equitable  share  of  commerce. 
Mournfully  revolving  in  our  minds  the  calamities  that, 
arising  from  these  dissensions,  will  most  probably  fall  on 
us  and  our  children,  we  will  now  lay  before  you  the  par- 
ticular points  we  request  of  you  to  procure,  if  possible,  to 
be  finally  decided,  and  the  measures  that  appear  to  us  most 
likely  to  produce  such  a  desirable  period  of  our  distresses 
and  dangers." 

Then  after  enumerating  the  particular  Acts  of  Parlia- 
ment, which  they  consider  as  grievances,  and  desire  to 
have  repealed,  they  add:  "In  case  of  obtaining  these 
terms,  it  is  our  opinion  that  it  will  be  reasonable  for  the 
Colonies  to  engage  their  obedience  to  the  Acts  of  Parlia- 
ment, commonly  called  Acts  of  Navigation,  and  to  every 
other  Act  of  Parliament  declared  to  have  force  at  this 
time  in  these  Colonies,  other  than  those  above  mentioned, 
and  to  confirm  such  Statutes  by  Acts  of  the  several  As- 
semblies. It  is  olso  our  opinion  that,  taking  example 
from  our  mother  Country  in  abolishing  the  Courts  of 
Wards  and  Liveries,  tenures  in  capite,  and  by  Knights' 
service  and  purveyance,  it  will  be  reasonable  for  the 
Colonies,  in  case  of  obtaining  the  terms  before  men- 
tioned, to  settle  a  certain  annual  revenue  on  His  Majesty, 
his  heirs  and  successors,  subject  to  the  control  of  Parlia- 
ment, and  to  satisfy  all  damages  done  to  the  East  India 
Company.  This  our  idea  of  settling  a  revenue,  arises 
from  a  sense  of  duty  to  our  Sovereign,  and  of  esteem  for 
our  mother  Country.  We  know  and  have  felt  the  bene- 
fits of  a  subordinate  connexion  with  her.    We  neither 

are 


125 


are  so  stupid  as  to  be  ignorant  of  them,  nor  so  unjust  .as 
to  deny  them.  We  have  also  experienced  the  j)leasure3 
of  gratitude  and  love,  as  well  as  advantages  from  that 
connexion.  The  impressions  are  not  erased.  We  con- 
sider her  circumstances  with  tender  concern.  We  have 
not  been  wanting,  when  constitutionally  called  upon,  to 
assist  her  to  the  utmost  of  our  abilities,  insomuch  that 
she  has  judged  it  reasonable  to  make  us  recompenses  for 
our  over-strained  exertions;  and  we  now  think  we  ought 
to  contribute  more  than  we  do  to  the  alleviation  of  her 
burdens.  Whatever  may  be  said  of  these  proposals  on 
either  side  of  the  Atlantick,  this  is  not  a  time  either  for 
timidity  or  rashness.  We  perfectly  know  that  the  great 
cause  now  agitated  is  to  be  conducted  to  a  happy  conclu- 
sion only  by  that  well-tempered  composition  of  counsels 
which  firmness,  prudence,  loyalty  to  our  Sovereign,  re- 
spect to  our  Parent  State,  and  affection  to  our  native 
Country,  united  must  form." 

"In  case  of  war,  or  in  any  emergency  of  distress,  we 
shall  also  be  ready  and  willing  to  contribute  all  aids 
within  our  power.  And  we  solemnly  declare,  that  on 
such  occasions,  that  if  we,  or  our  posterity,  shall  refuse, 
neglect,  or  decline  thus  to  contribute,  it  will  be  a  mean 
and  manifest  violation  of  a  plain  duty,  and  a  weak  and 
wicked  desertion  of  the  true  interests  of  this  Province, 
which  ever  have  been,  and  must  be,  bound  up  in 
the  prosperity  of  our  Mother  Country.  Our  union, 
founded  on  mutual  compacts  and  mutual  benefits, 
will  be  indissoluble  ;  at  least  more  firm  than  an 
union  perpetually  disturbed  by  disputed  rights  and 
retorted  injuries."  I  could  quote  several  more  passages 
from  these  instructions,  which  are  expressive  of  the  same 
honest  and  generous  sentiments  with  regard  to  Great 
Britain,  but  I  shall  only  make  one  more  extract,  and 
that  respecting  the  mode  which  they  recommend  to  be 
pursued  for  the  redress  of  grievances,  viz.:  "  But  other 
considerations  have  weight  with  us.  We  wish  every 
mark  of  respect  to  be  paid  to  His  Majesty's  Administra- 
tion. We  have  been  taught,  from  our  youth,  to  enter- 
tain tender  and  brotherly  affections  for  our  fellow-sub- 
jects at  home.    The  interruption  of  our  commerce  must 

greatly 


126 


greatly  distress  great  numbers  of  them.  This  we  earn- 
estly desire  to  avoid.  We  therefore  request  that  the 
Deputies  you  shall  appoint  may  be  instructed  to  exert 
themselves  at  the  Congress,  to  induce  the  Members  of  it 
to  consent  to  make  a  full  and  precise  state  of  grievances, 
and  a  decent,  yet  firm  claim  of  redress,  and  to  await  the 
event  before  any  other  step  i«  taken.  It  is  our  opinion 
that  persons  should  be  appointed  and  sent  home  to  pre- 
sent this  state  and  claim  at  the  Court  of  Great  Britain." 
After  mentioning  their  confidence  in  the  intended  Gen- 
eral Congress,  and  their  resolution  to  abide  their  determi- 
nations for  the  sake  of  unanimity,  they  declare  that  it  is 
"  with  a  strong  hope  and  trust  that  they  will  not  draw 
this  Province  into  any  measure  judged  by  us,  who  must 
be  better  acquainted  with  its  state  than  strangers,  highly 
inexpedient.  Of  this  kind,  we  know  any  other  stoppage 
of  trade  ;  but  of  that  with  Great  Britain,  will  be.  Even 
this  step  we  should  be  extremely  afflicted  to  see  taken  by 
the  Congress,  before  the  other  mode,  above  pointed  out, 
is  tried." 

Happy  would  it  have  been  at  this  day,  in  all  prob- 
ability, if  some  such  healing  measure  had  been  pursued. 
Some  plan  of  union,  or  proposal  of  "  a  mutual  compact  " 
for  "  mutual  benefit,"  was  the  grand  object  which  every 
honest  man  in  the  Colonies  had  at  heart.  An  imperfect 
one  (if  not  too  glaringly  so)  was  better  than  none,  as  it 
would,  if  it  had  answered  no  other  purpose,  have  laid  a 
foundation  for  negotiation  and  treaty.  It  has  been  lately 
observed  in  Parliament, '•  That  it  does  not  appear  the 
Colonies  were  seriously  inclined  to  come  into  any  reason- 
able terms  of  accommodation,  as  nobody  was  authorized 
to  make  any  proposals  to  that  effect." 

However,  it  can  be  of  little  avail  now  to  animadvert 
on  past  transactions.  Who  has  been  most  in  the  right  or 
most  in  the  wrong,  can  never  be  satisfactorily  decided. 
Many  things  will  ever  happen  in  the  course  of  a  long  con- 
tinued dispute,  which  good  men  of  both  parties  must  re- 
flect on  with  pain,  and  wish  to  have  buried  in  oblivion. 
In  the  present  situation  of  affairs  we  should  only  look 
forward,  and  endeavour  to  fall  on  some  expedient  that 
may  avert  the  impending  danger.  To  effect  this  desir- 
able 


127 

able  purpose,  a  plan  is  now  formed  and  recommended 
to  you  by  his  Majest}',  containing  terms  greatly  corres- 
ponding with  the  avowed  sentiments  of  many  of  the 
Colonies,  and  which,  I  think,  can  only  want  to  be  rightly 
understood  in  order  to  be  generally  adopted.  It  does  not 
require  from  the  people  of  this  country  any  formal 
acknowledgment  of  the  right  of  taxation  in  the  Parlia- 
ment. It  waives  all  dispute  on  that  head,  and  suspends 
the  exercise  of  it  forever,  if  so  long  the  Colonies  shall 
perform  their  part  of  the  contract.  It  does  not  even 
require  as  a  preliminary  that  the  Non-Importation  and 
Non-Exportation  Agreements  shall  be  abolished.  It 
comes  before  you  in  the  old  accustomed  manner,  by  way 
of  requisition,  being  approved  and  adopted  by  the  King, 
who  has  directed  his  several  Governours  to  signify  to  the 
respective  Assemblies  his  desire  that  they  should  grant 
such  aids  for  the  common  defence,  and  the  support  of 
Government  within  the  Colonies,  as  shall  appear  to  them 
just  and  equitable,  and  proportionate  to  their  abilities. 
His  Majesty  and  the  Parliament,  'tis  true,  are  to  judge 
whether  the  aids  which  each  Colony  may  offer  are  worth 
acceptance,  or  adequate  to  their  respective  abilities,  as 
they  did  during  the  course  of  the  last  war,  very  much  to 
the  satisfaction  of  those  Colonies  who  exerted  themselves ; 
often  making  them  a  compensation  "according  as  their 
active  vigour  and  strenuous  efforts  respectively  appeared 
to  merit."  The  necessity  of  some  such  supreme  judge  is 
evident  from  the  very  nature  of  the  case,  as  otherwise 
some  Colonies  might  not  contribute  their  due  proportion. 
During  the  last  war  I  well  remember  it  was  ardently 
wished  by  some  of  the  Colonies  that  others  who  were 
thought  to  be  delinquent  might  be  compelled,  by  Act  of 
Parliament,  to  bear  an  equal  share  of  the  publick  bur- 
dens. It  appears,  by  the  minutes  of  Assembly,  in  March 
and  April,  1758,  that  some  of  the  neighbouring  Colonies 
thought  New  Jersey,  had  not,  at  that  time,  contributed 
its  due  share  towards  the  expenses  of  the  war,  and  that 
President  Reading  (the  then  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
Colony)  was  of  the  same  opinion.  And  since  my  admin- 
istration, when  the  Assembly,  in  1764,  was  called  upon  ' 
to  make  provision  for  raising  some  Troops  on  account  of 

the 


128 


the  Indian  war,  they  declined  doing  it  for  some  time  b'lt 
"  on  condition  a  majority  of  tlie  Eastern  Colonies,  as  far 
as  to  include  Massachusetts  Bay  should  come  into  his 
Majesty's  requisition  on  the  occasion."  But  as  none  of 
the  Assemblies  of  the  New  England  Governments  thought 
themselves  nearly  concerned,  nothing  was  granted  by 
them,  and  the  whole  burden  of  the  expeditions  then  car- 
ried on  fell  upon  Great  Britain  and  three  or  four  of  the 
middle  Colonies,  with  which  this  Colony  was  dissatisfied, 
and  the  Assembly  complained  of  it  in  one  of  their  Ad- 
dresses to  me  on  the  occasion.  But  what  fully  evinces 
that  there  is  no  design  of  oppression  or  extortion  in  the 
proposed  reservation  in  his  Majesty  and  his  Parliament 
of  the  right  of  approving  the  aids  which  may  be  offered 
by  the  Colonies,  is  his  Majesty's  gracious  assurance  that 
the  propositions  on  this  head  will  be  received  with  every 
possible  indulgence.  The  moneys  raised  by  the  several 
Colonies  as  their  proportion  to  the  common  defence,  is 
made  subject  to  the  disposal  of  Parliament,  as  in  justice 
it  ought,  as  they  furnisli  the  whole  sum  which  may  be 
wanted  for  that  necessary  purpose,  according  to  the  esti- 
mates annually  laid  before  them  by  the  Crown,  besides 
making  provision  for  the  civil  list  and  National  Debt, 
towards  which  the  Colonies  are  not  asked  to  contribute. 
The  Army  and  Navy  establishment,  it  is  well  known,  is 
necessarily  increased  since  the  extension  of  the  British 
Dominions  in  America.  The  whole  American  civil  and. 
military  establishment,  as  paid  by  Great  Britain,  after 
the  peace  of  Aix-la-Chapelle,  was  it  is  said,  only  £70,000 
sterling;  but  since  the  last  peace,  it  amounts  to  upwards 
of  £350,000.  At  this  great  additional  expense  was  chiefly 
incurred  on  an  American  account,  it  cannot  but  be  rea- 
sonable that  America  should  pay  some  part  of  it.  To 
remove  every  objection  that  other  taxes  may  be  raised 
upon  America,  under  the  colour  of  regulations  on  com- 
merce, the  produce  of  all  such  duties  is  to  be  carried  to 
the  account  of  that  Province  where  it  is  to  be  levied. 

We  have  now,  thank  Heaven,  a  happy  opportunity  of 
getting  entirely  rid  of  this  unnatural  contest,  by  only 
complying  with  what  I  think  has  been  fully  proved  and 
acknowledged  to  be  our  indispensable  duty.  Wherever 

a 


129 


a  people  enjoy  protection,  and  the  other  common  benefits 
of  the  State,  nothing  can  be  more  reasonable  than  that 
they  should  bear  their  share  of  the  common  burden. 

It  is  much  to  be  lamented  that  there  is  so  much  truth 
in  the  observation,  that  mankind  generally  act,  not 
according  to  right,  but  according  to  the  present  interest, 
and  most  according  to  present  passion.  In  the  present 
case  there  are  no  difficulties  but  what  may  be  easily  sur- 
mounted, if  men  come  together  sincerely  disposed  to 
serve  their  Country,  unbiased  by  any  sinister  views  or 
improper  resentments.  This,  gentlemen,  I  trust  will  be 
found  to  be  your  disposition  in  this  most  alarming  situa- 
tion of  publick  affairs.  Let  me  conjure  you,  however, 
not  to  come  to  any  precipitate  resolution  respecting  the 
plan  of  accommodation  now  communicated  to  you.  I 
have  no  objection  to  give  you  any  time  you  may  think 
necessary  for  the  due  consideration  of  it.  It  is,  indeed  a 
concern  of  a  more  interesting  nature  than  ever  before 
came  under  the  consideration  of  an  American  Assembly. 
If  it  is  adopted,  all  will  yet  be  well.  If  it  is  totally  re- 
jected, or  nothing  similar  to  it  proposed,  or  made  the 
basis  of  a  negotiation,  it  will  necessarily  induce  a  belief 
of  what  has  been  lately  so  often  mentioned  in  publick, 
"  That  it  is  not  a  dispute  about  modes  of  taxation,  but 
that  the  Americans  have  deeper  views,  and  mean  to 
throw  off  all  dependance  upon  Great  Britain,  and  to  get 
rid  of  every  control  of  their  Legislature."  Should  such 
sentiments  ever  prevail,  they  cannot  but  have  the  most 
fatal  effects  to  this  Country.  I  am,  however,  fully  con- 
vinced that  the  body  of  the  people  in  the  Colonies  do  not 
even  entertain  a  wish  of  the  kind.  Rather  than  lose  the 
protection  of  Great  Britain,  America,  were  it  ever  so  con- 
stitutionally and  allowedly  independent,  would  find  it 
for  its  advantage  to  purchase  that  protection  at  an  ex- 
pense far  beyond  what  Great  Britain  would  ever  think 
of  requiring  while  we  show  her  that  regard  and  obedience 
to  which  she  is  justly  entitled,  and  which  our  own  inter- 
est and  safety  should  prompt  us  to  show,  if  there  were  no 
other  considerations. 

Taxation  being  the  principal  source  of  the  present 
disorders,  when  that  important  point  is  once  settled, 

every 

10  . 


130 


every  other  subject  of  complaint  which  has  grown  out  of 
it  will,  no  doubt,  of  course,  be  removed ;  for  you  may 
rely,  gentlemen,  that  notwithstanding  the  many  inimical 
and  oppressive  designs  which  the  jealousies  and  suspi- 
cions of  incensed  people  have  attributed  to  Government, 
yet  it  is  evident,  from  the  whole  tenour  of  the  letters 
which  I  have  had  the  honour  to  receive  from  the  King's 
Ministers,  that  His  Majesty  and  they  have  nothing  more 
at  heart  than  to  have  these  unhappy  differences  accom- 
modated on  some  just  and  honourable  plan,  which  shall 
at  the  same  time  secure  the  liberties  of  the  people,  with- 
out lessening  the  necessary  power  and  dignity  of  Parlia- 
ment. 

God  grant  that  the  Colonies  may  manifest  the  same 
laudable  disposition,  and  that  a  hearty  reconciliation  and 
harmony  may  take  place  of  the  present  confusion  and 
dissension. 

William  Franklin. 
Council  Chamber,  May  16,  1775. 

Mr.  Deputy  Secretary  laid  before  the  House  the  copy 
of  an  Address  to  the  King  from  the  Lords  and  Commons 
of  Great  Britain,  of  the  7th  of  February,  1775,  together 
with  His  Majesty's  Answer ;  also,  a  copy  of  a  Resolution 
of  the  Honourable  House  of  Commons  of  Great  Britain, 
of  the  20th  of  February  last;  all  which  were  read. 

Ordered,  That  his  Excellency's  Speech  and  the  said 
Papers  be  read  a  second  time. 

Mr.  Tucker  laid  before  the  House  a  printed  Pamphlet 
lately  received  from  Great  Britain,  entitled  "The  Parlia- 
mentary Register,  No.  5,"  containing,  among  other  things, 
a  Paper  entitled  "  An  extract  of  a  Letter  from  Governour 
Franklin  to  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  dated  Perth  Amboy, 
February  1,  1775;  received  February  28,"  in  these  words, 
viz. : 

"  The  General  Assembly  of  this  Province  are  now  sit- 
ting, being  convened  on  the  11th  of  last  month,  in  order 
to  transact  the  publick  business. 

"  At  the  opening  of  the  session  I  had  some  hopes  of 
prevailing  on  the  House  of  Representatives  not  to  ap- 
prove 


131 


prove  of  the  proceedings  of  the  General  Congress  held  at 
Philadelphia,  for  which  purpose  a  paragraph  of  my 
speech  was  particularly  calculated.  But  the  Delegates 
from  this  Province  took  the  alarm,  and  used  their  utmost 
endeavors  with  the  members  to  persuade  them  to  give 
their  approbation  to  those  proceedings,  as  otherwise  one 
grand  end  the  Congress  had  in  view  would  be  entirely 
frustrated,  namely :  the  preserving  an  appearance  of 
unanimity  throughout  the  Colonies,  without  which  they 
said  their  measures  could  not  have  that  weight  and  effi- 
cacy with  the  Government  and  people  of  Great  Britain 
as  was  intended. 

"The  scheme,  however,  met  with  some  opposition  in 
the  House,  every  member  proposing  to  defer  the  con- 
sideration of  it  to  a  future  time,  or  to  give  their  approba- 
tion to  only  some  parts  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Con- 
gress ;  but  by  the  artful  management  of  those  who 
espoused  the  measure,  it  was  carried  through  precipi- 
tately the  very  morning  it  was  proposed,  as  your  Lord- 
ship will  see  by  a  copy  of  their  Resolutions  now  enclosed, 
whicli  were  all  previously  prepared  for  the  purpose." 

Which  Extract  was  read,  and  ordered  to  be  read  a  sec- 
ond time. 

Mr.  Crane  had  leave  of  absence  upon  special  occasion. 
The  House  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  to-morrow  morn- 
ing. 


Wednesday,  May  17, 1775. 

The  House  met. 

His  Excellency's  Speech,  together  with  the  Papers 
accompanying  the  same,  were  read  the  second  time,  and 
committed  to  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House. 

Mr.  Speaker  laid  before  the  House  a  Letter  to  him 
from  John  Smith,  Esquire,  Treasurer  of  the  Eastern  Di- 
vision, dated  Perth  Amboy,  May  13,  1775,  setting  forth 
that  he  had  attended  the  Justices  and  Freeholders  of  Mid- 
dlesex, with  the  sum  of  Nine  Thousand  Five  Hundred  and 
Ninety-Eight  Pounds  and  Three  Shillings,  to  be  sunk 

according 


132 


according  to  law  on  the  Wednesday  preceding  ;  but  that 
no  sufficient  number  to  constitute  a  Board  had  attended  ; 
and  praying  that  an  act  of  Assembly  may  immediately 
pass  to  cancel  and  burn  said  Bills;  which  Letter  was 
i;ead,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 
The  House  adjourned  till  three  P.  M. 

The  House  met. 

The  House,  according  to  order,  resolved  itself  into  a 
Committee  of  the  Whole  House  on  His  Excellency's 
Speech  and  the  Papers  accompanying  the  same,  and  after 
some  time  spent  therein,  Mr.  Speaker  resumed  the  Chair, 
and  Mr.  Fisher,  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  reported 
that  the  Committee  had  gone  through  the  matters  to 
them  referred,  and  had  come  to  one  Resolution,  which 
he  was  ready  to  report  whenever  the  House  will  please 
to  receive  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  the  Report  be  made  immediately. 

Whereupon  Mr.  Fisher  reported  the  Resolution  of  the 
Committee  as  follows,  viz.: 

Resolved,  That  an  Humble  Address  be  presented  to  his 
Excellency  in  answer  to  his  Speech  ;  to  which  the  House 
agreed. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Fisher,  Mr.  Wetherill,  Mr.  Kinsey, 
Mr.  Paxon  and  Mr.  Lawrence  be  a  Committee  to  prepare 
and  bring  in  the  draught  of  an  Address  to  his  Excel- 
lency, in  answer  to  his  Speech. 

Joseph  Barton,  Esquire,  being  duly  returned  a  Repre- 
sentative in  Assembly  for  the  County  of  Sussex,  and  now 
attending,  was  admitted  into  the  House,  and  took  the 
usual  oaths,  and  made  and  subscribed  the  Declaration 
by  law  appointed,  before  Cortland  Skinner,  Esquire,  au- 
thorized by  dedimus  potestatem. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Barton  do  take  his  seat  in  the 
House. 

The  House  adjourned  till  ten  o'clock  to-morrow  morn- 
ing. 


Thursday, 


133 


Thursday,  May  18,  1775. 

The  House  met. 

The  printed  Paper,  entitled  "An  Extract  of  a  Letter 
from  Governor  Franklin  to  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  dated 
Perth  Amboy,  February  1,  1775 ;  received  February  28," 
was  read  the  second  time. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Hinchman,  Mr.  Mehelm,  Mr.  Combs, 
Mr.  Taylor,  and  Mr.  Holme,  be  a  Committee  to  pre[)are 
and  bring  in  the  draught  of  a  Message  to  his  Excellency, 
to  request  his  Excellency  would  be  pleased  to  inform  tliis 
House  whether  the  said  Extract  is  authentick  or  not. 

The  House  adjourned  till  three  P.  M. 

The  House  met. 

Mr.  Hinchman,  from  the  Committee  appointed  this 
morning,  brought  in  the  draught  of  a  Message  to  his  Ex- 
cellency, according  to  order;  which  was  read,  amended, 
agreed  to  and  ordered  to  be  engrossed. 

The  engrossed  Message  to  his  Excellency  was  read  and 
compared,  and  the  same  is  as  follows,  viz  : 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Dey  and  Mr.  Hewlings  do  wait  upon 
his  Excellency  with  the  following  Message : 

May  it  please  your  Excellency : 

A  printed  Pamphlet  lately  received  from  Great  Britain, 
entitled  "  The  Parliamentary  Register,  No.  5,"  has  been 
laid  before  this  House,  containing  among  other  things,  a 
Paper  entitled  "An  Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Governour 
Franklin  to  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  dated  Perth  Amboy, 
February  1, 1775  :  received  February  28,"  in  these  words  : 

"  The  General  Assembly  of  this  Province  are  now  sit- 
ting, being  convened  on  the  11th  of  last  month,  in  order 
to  transact  the  publick  business. 

"  At  the  opening  of  the  session  I  had  some  hopes  of 
prevailing  on  the  House  of  Representatives  not  to  approve 
of  the  proceedings  of  the  General  Congress  held  at  Piiila- 
delphia,  for  which  purpose  a  paragraph  of  ray  speech  was 
particularly  calculated.  But  the  Delegates  from  this  Prov- 
ince took  the  alarm,  and  used  their  utmost  endeavours 

with 


134 


with  the  members  to  persuade  them  to  give  their  appro- 
bation to  those  proceedings,  as  otherwise  one  grand  end 
the  Congress  had  in  view  would  be  entirely  frustrated, 
namely  :  the  preserving  an  appearance  of  unanimity 
throughout  the  Colonies,  without  which  they  said  their 
measures  would  not  have  that  weight  and  efficacy  with 
the  Government  and  people  of  Great  Britain,  as  was  in- 
tended. 

"The  scheme,  however,  met  with  some  opposition  in 
the  House,  every  member  proposing  to  defer  the  consid- 
eration of  it  to  a  future  time,  or  to  give  their  approbation 
to  only  some  parts  of  the  proceedings  of  Congress  ;  but 
by  the  artful  management  of  those  who  espoused  the 
measure,  it  was  carried  through  precipitately  the  very 
morning  it  was  proposed,  as  your  Lordship  will  see  by  a 
copy  of  their  Resolutions  now  enclosed,  which  were  all 
previously  prepared  for  the  purpose." 

We  request  your  Excellency  will  be  pleased  to  inform 
this  House  whether  the  said  Extract  contains  a  true 
representation  of  the  words  or  substance  of  the  Letter, 
or  any  part  of  the  Letter  by  your  Excellency  written 
relative  to  the  proceedings  of  the  last  session  of  Assembly. 
By  order  of  the  House. 

Richard  Smith, 

Clerk. 

House  of  Assembly,  May  18, 1775. 

Mr.  Fisher,  from  the  Committee  on  the  Address  to  his 
Excellency,  brought  in  a  draught;  which  was  read,  and 
ordered  to  a  second  reading. 

Mr.  Deputy  Secretary  Pettit  laid  before  the  House  his 
Majesty's  royal  approbation  of  two  Acts  of  Assembly  of 
this  Province;  and  also  his  Majesty's  royal  disallowance 
of  one  other  Act,  in  these  words,  viz  : 

At  the  Court  of  St.  James,  the  20th  day  of  February, 
1775.  Present,  the  King's  Most  Excellent  Majesty,  Lord 
President,  Duke  of  Queensbury,  Duke  of  Newcastle,  Earl 
of  Denbigh,  Earl  of  Rochford,  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  Vis- 
count Falmouth. 

"  Whereas,  by  commission  under  the  great  seal  of 
Great  Britain,  the  Governour,  Council,  and  Assemblv  of 

His 


135 


His  Majesty's  Colony  of  New  Jersey  are  authorized  and 
empowered  to  make,  constitute,  and  ordain  Laws,  Statutes, 
and  Ordinances  for  the  publick  peace,  welfare,  and  good 
government  of  the  said  Colony,  which  Laws,  Statutes, 
and  Ordinances  are  to  be  as  near  as  conveniently  may 
be,  agreeable  to  the  Laws  and  Statutes  of  this  Kingdom, 
and  are  to  be  transmitted  to  his  Majesty  for  his  royal 
approbation  or  disallowance;  And  wheieas,  in  pursu- 
ance of  the  said  powers,  two  Acts  were  passed  in  the  said 
Colony  in  the  last  session  of  tlie  General  Assembly  there, 
which  have  been  transmitted,  entitled  as  follows,  viz: 

"An  Act  for  striking  One  Hundred  Thousand  Pounds 
in  Bills  of  Credit,  and  directing  the  mode  for  sinking  the 
same. 

'•  An  Act  for  the  relief  of  Abner  Hatfield,  an  insolvent 
debtor. 

"  Which  Acts,  together  with  the  representation  from 
the  Lords  Commissioners  for  Trade  and  Plantations 
thereupon,  having  been  referred  to  the  consideration  of 
a  Committee  of  the  Lords  of  His  Majesty's  most  Honour- 
ably Privy  Council  for  Plantation  Affairs,  the  said  Lords 
of  the  Committee  did  this  day  report  as  their  opinion  to 
His  Majesty,  that  the  said  Acts  were  proper  to  be  ap- 
proved. His  Majesty  taking  the  same  into  consideration, 
was  pleased,  with  the  advice  of  his  Privy  Council,  to  de- 
clare his  approba  ion  of  the  said  Acts;  and  pursuant  to 
His  Majesty's  royal  pleasure  thereupon  expressed,  the 
said  Acts  are  hereby  confirmed,  finally  enacted,  and  rati- 
fied accordingly  ;  whereof  the  Governour  or  Commander- 
in-Chief  of  his  Majesty's  said  Colony  of  New  Jersey,  for 
the  time  being,  and  all  others  whom  it  may  concern,  are 
to  take  notice  and  govern  themselves  accordingly. 

"  G.  Chetwynd." 

"  At  the  Court  at  St.  James,  the  20th  day  of  February, 
1775  Present,  the  King's  Most  Excellent  Majesty,  Lord 
President,  Duke  of  Queensbury,  Duke  of  Newcastle,  Earl 
of  Denbigh,  Earl  of  Rochford,  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  Vis- 
count Falmouth. 

"  Whereas,  by  commission  under  the  great  seal  of 
Great  Britain,  the  Governour,  Council,  and  Assembly  of 

his 


136 


His  Majesty's  Colony  of  New  Jersey  are  authorized  and 
empowered  to  make,  constitute  and  ordain  Laws,  Statutes, 
and  Ordinances  for  the  publick  peace,  welfare  and  good 
government  of  the  said  Colony,  which  Laws,  Statutes, 
and  Ordinances  are  to  be  as  near  as  conveniently  may 
be,  agreeable  to  the  Laws  and  Statutes  of  this  Kingdom, 
and  are  to  be  transmitted  for  His  Majesty's  royal  appro- 
bation or  disallowance;  and  whereas,  in  pursuance  of  the 
said  powers,  an  Act  was  passed  in  the  said  Colony  in  the 
last  session  of  General  Assembly,  and  transmitted,  entitled 
as  follows,  viz. : 

"  An  Act  for  lowering  the  interest  of  Money  to  Six  per 
Cent,  within  this  Colony. 

"Which  Act,  together  with  a  representation  from  the 
Lords  Commissioners  for  Trade  and  Plantations  there- 
upon, having  been  referred  to  the  consideration  of  a  Com- 
mittee of  tlie  Lords  of  His  Majesty's  Most  Honourable 
Privy  Council,  the  said  Lords  of  the  Committee  did  this 
day  report  as  their  opinion  to  His  Majesty,  that  the  said 
Act  ought  to  be  disallowed,  His  Majesty,  taking  the  same 
into  consideration,  was  pleased,  with  the  advice  of  his 
Privy  Council,  to  declare  his  disallowance  of  the  said 
Act;  and  pursuant  to  His  Majesty's  royal  pleasure  there- 
upon expressed,  the  said  Act  is  hereby  disallowed,  de- 
clared void,  and  of  none  effect;  whereof  the  Governour 
or  Commander-in-Chief  of  His  Majesty's  said  Colony  of 
New  Jersey,  for  the  time  being,  and  all  others  whom  it 
may  concern,  are  to  take  notice  and  govern  themselves 
accordingly. 

"  G.  Chetwynd." 
The  House  adjourned  till  9  o'clock  to-raorrow  morning. 

Friday,  May  19,  1775. 

The  House  met. 

The  Address  to  his  Excellency  was  read  the  second 
time,  and  committed  to  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House. 

The  House  accordingly  resolved  itself  into  a  Commit- 
tee of  the  Whole  House  on  the  Address,  and  after  some 
time  spent  therein,  Mr.  Speaker  resumed  the  Chair,  and 

Mr. 


137 


Mr.  Fisher,  Chairman  of  the  Comnoittee,  reported  that 
the  Committee  had  gone  through  the  Address,  and  had 
made  sundry  amendments  to  the  same  ;  and  by  leave  of 
the  House  Mr.  Fisher  reported  the  Address  with  the 
amendments,  which  were  read ;  and  the  Address  being 
further  amended  in  the  House,  was  agreed  to. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Address  as  amended  and  agreed 
to,  be  engrossed. 

The  House  adjourned  till  three  P.  M. 

The  House  met. 

The  engrossed  Address  to  his  Excellency  was  read  and 
compared. 

Ordered,  nem.  con.,  That  Mr.  Speaker  do  sign  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Tucker  and  Mr.  Hinchman  do  wait 
upon  his  Excellency  and  desire  to  be  informed  when  his 
Excellency  will  be  attended  by  the  House  with  their 
Address. 

Colonel  Ford  had  leave  of  absence  on  urgent  business. 

Mr.  Tucker  reported  that  Mr.  Hinchman  and  himself 
had  waited  on  his  Excellency  according  to  order  and  that 
his  Excellency  was  pleased  to  say  the  House  should  hear 
from  him. 

The  House  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  to-morrow  morn- 
ing. 


Saturday,  May  20,  1775. 

The  House  met. 

A  Message  from  his  Excellency,  by  Mr.  Deputy  Secre- 
tary Pettit. 

(jrENTLEMEN : — As  the  Honourable  Samuel  Smith, 
Esquire,  has  resigned  his  office  of  Treasurer  of  the 
Western  Division,  I  now  inform  you  that  I  have,  with  the 
advice  of  the  Council,  appointed  Joseph  Smith,  Esquire, 
to  that  office ;  which  appointment,  I  doubt  not,  will  be 
to  your  satisfaction. 

Wm.  Franklin. 

Burlington,  May  20,  1775. 

Which  was  read  ;  and  thereupon  a  certified  copy  of 

^the 


138 


the  Bond  entered  into  by  the  said  Joseph  Sraitli,  Esq., 
beinjj  laid  before  the  House,  executed  according  to  law, 

Resolved,  That  this  House  is  entirely  satisfied  with  the 
security  therein  mentioned. 

It  also  appearing  that  the  late  Treasurer  hath  paid 
into  the  hands  of  the  said  Joseph  Smith  Esquire,  the 
sum  of  Six  Thousand,  One  Hundred  and  Sixty-Six 
Pounds,  Fourteen  Shillings  and  Eight  Pence,  the  bal- 
ance of  the  said  late  Treasurer's  accounts,  as  settled  by 
the  Committees  of  the  Council  and  this  House,  together 
with  all  books,  papers,  &c.,  belonging  to  the  Colony  ; 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  House  that  the 
late  Treasurer's  Bond  be  taken  off  the  files,  cancelled, 
and  delivered  to  him. 

It  also  appearing  that  the  Chest  heretofore  uged  for 
keeping  the  publick  money,  &c.,  is  private  property, 

Ordered,  That  the  present  Treasurer  do  procure  a 
proper  and  strong  Iron  Chest  for  that  purpose,  and  upon 
his  exhibiting  an  account  of  the  expense  thereof, 

Resolved,  That  this  House  will  make  provision  to 
defray  the  said  expense. 

A  Message  from  his  Excellency,  by  Mr.  Deputy  Secre- 
tary Petti  t. 

Mr.  Speaker: — His  Excellency  is  in  the  Council 
Chamber,  and  requires  the  immediate  attendance  of  the 
House. 

AVhereupon  Mr.  Speaker  left  the  Chair,  and  with  the 
House  went  to  wait  upon  his  Excellency  in  the  Council 
Chamber,  when  he  addressed  the  Governour  in  the  words, 
or  to  the  effect  following: 

"  I  am  ordered  by  the  House  of  Assembly  to  deliver  to 
your  Excellency  their  Address,  which  being  different 
from  my  sentiments,  I  think  it  necessary  thus  publickly 
to  declare  it;  a  step  I  should  not  have  taken,  had  I  been 
permitted  to  enter  my  dissent  on  the  Minutes  of  the 
House." 

Having  delivered  the  Address,  and  being  returned, 
Mr.  Speaker  resumed  the  Chair,  and  reported  that  the 
House  had  waited  on  his  Excellency  with  their  Address, 
in  these  words,  viz : 

To 


139 


To  his  Excellency  William  Franklin,  Esquire,  Captain  Gene- 
ral, Governour,  and  Commander-in-  Chief  in  and  over  hi<i 
Majesty's  Colony  of  Nova-Csesarea,  or  New  Jersey,  and 
Territories  thereon  depending  in  America,  Chancellor  and 
and  Vice- Admiral  in  the  same,  &c. 

The  humble  Address  of  the  Representatives  of  the  said 
Colony,  in  General  Assembly  convened  : 

May  it  please  your  Excellency : — We,  his  Majesty's  loyal 
and  dutiful  subjects,  the  Representatives  of  the  Colony 
of  New  Jersey,  in  General  Assembly  convened,  have 
taken  under  our  consideration  your  Excellency's  Speech 
at  the  opening  of  the  session,  together  with  the  Resolu- 
tion of  the  House  of  Commons  accompanying  the  same, 
containing  a  proposition  for  accommodating  of  the  un- 
happy differences  at  present  subsisting  between  our 
Parent  Country  and  the  Colonies. 

As  the  Continental  Congress  is  now  sitting  to  consider 
of  the  present  critical  situation  of  American  affairs;  and 
as  this  House  has  already  appointed  Delegates  for  that 
purpose,  we  should  have  been  glad  that  your  Excellency 
had  postponed  the  present  meeting  until  their  opinion 
could  be  had  upon  the  Resolution  now  offered  for  our  con- 
sideration, and  to  which  we  have  no  doubt  that  a  proper 
attention  will  be  paid  ;  more  especially  as  we  cannot 
suppose  you  to  entertain  a  suspicion  that  the  present 
House  has  the  least  design  to  desert  the  common  cause, 
in  which  all  America  appears  to  be  both  deeply  interested 
and  firmly  united,  so  far  as  separately,  and  without  the 
advice  of  a  body  in  which  are  all  represented,  to 
adopt  a  measure  of  so  much  importance.  Until  this 
opinion  is  known,  we  can  only  give  your  Excellency  our 
present  sentiments,  being  fully  of  opinion  that  we  shall 
pay  all  proper  respect  to,  and  abide  by,  the  united  voice 
of  the  Congress  on  the  present  occasion. 

Your  Excellency  is  pleased  to  tell  us  that  this  Reso- 
lution "  has  had  a  variety  of  interpretations  put  on  it," 
"  that  scarcely  any  have  seen  it  in  its  proper  light;"  and 
you  proceed  to  give  us  that  explanation  of  the  design 
and  occasion,  which  you  apprehend  will  enable  us  and 
our  constituents  to  judge  how  far  the  plau  it  contains 

ought 


140 


ought  to  be  acquiesced  in,  and  what  steps  it  may  be  pru- 
dent to  take  in  the  present  situation.  We  confess  that 
your  Excellency  has  put  a  construction  on  the  proposi- 
tion, which  appears  to  us  to  be  new ;  and  if  we  would  be 
of  the  opinion  that  the  Resolution  "  holds  no  proposition 
beyond  the  avowal  of  the  justice,  the  equity,  and  the  pro- 
priety of  subjects  of  the  same  State  contributing,  accord- 
ing to  their  abilities  and  situation,  to  the  pnblick  bur- 
den," and  did  not  convey  to  us  the  idea  of  submitting 
the  disposal  of  all  our  property  to  others  in  whom  we 
have  no  choice,  it  is  more  than  probable  that  we  should 
gladly  embrace  the  opportunity  of  settling  this  unhappy 
dispute. 

Most  Assemblies  on  the  Continent  have,  at  various 
times,  acknowledged  and  declared  to  the  world  their  wil- 
lingness not  only  to  defray  the  charge  of  the  administra- 
tion of  justice,  and  the  support  of  the  civil  Government, 
but  also  to  contribute,  as  they  have  hitherto  done  when 
constitutionally  called  upon,  to  every  reasonable  and 
necessary  expense  for  the  defence,  protection  and  security 
of  the  whole  British  Empire  ;  and  this  Colony  in  particu- 
lar hath  always  complied  with  his  Majesty's  requisitions 
for  those  purposes.  And  we  do  now  assure  your  Excel- 
lency that  we  shall  always  be  ready,  according  to  our 
abilities  and  to  the  utmost  of  our  power,  to  maintain  the 
interests  of  His  Majesty  and  of  our  Parent  State.  If, 
then,  your  Excellency's  construction  be  right,  and  if  a 
proposal  "of  this  nature"  will,  as  you  are  pleased  to  in- 
form us,  be  received  by  His  Majesty  with  every  possible 
indulgence,  we  have  hopes  that  the  declaration  we  now 
make  will  be  looked  on  by  his  Majesty  and  his  Ministers, 
not  only  to  be  similar  to  what  is  required  from  us,  but 
also  to  be  a  basis  of  a  negotiation  "  on  which  the  present 
differences  may  be  accommodated  " — an  event  which  we 
most  ardently  wish  for 

We  have  considered  the  Resolution  of  the  House  of 
Commons.  We  would  not  wish  to  come  to  a  determina- 
tion that  might  be  justly  called  precipitate,  in  the  pres- 
ent alarming  situation  of  affairs;  but  if  we  mistake  not, 
this  Resolution  contains  no  new  proposal.  It  appears  to 
us  to  be  the  same  with  one  made  to  the  Colonies  the  year 

preceding 


141 


preceding  the  passing  of  the  late  Stamp  Act;  at  least  it  is 
not  materially  different  therefrom.  America  then  did 
not  comply  with  it;  and  though  we  are  sincerely  disposed 
to  make  use  of  all  proper  means  to  obtain  the  favour  of 
His  Majesty  and  the  Parliament  of  Great  Britain,  yet  we 
cannot,  in  our  present  opinion,  comply  with  a  proposi- 
tion which  we  really  apprehend  to  give  up  the  privileges 
of  freemen  ;  nor  do  we  want  any  time  to  consider  whether 
we  shall  submit  to  that  which,  in  our  apprehension,  will 
reduce  us  and  our  constitutents  to  a  state  little  better 
than  that  of  slavery. 

By  the  Resolution  now  offered,  if  assented  to,  we  think 
we  shall  be,  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  as  fully  and 
effectually  taxed  by  our  fellow-subjects  in  Great  Britain, 
where  we  have  not  any  representation,  as  by  any  of  the 
late  Acts  of  the  British  Parliament  under  which  we  have 
been  aggrieved ;  of  which  we  have  complained ;  and 
from  which  we  have  prayed  to  be  relieved  ;  and  that, 
too,  in  a  much  greater  degree,  perhaps,  than  by  all  those 
Acts  put  together.  We  cannot  consent  to  subject  the 
property  of  our  constituents  to  be  taken  away  for  services 
and  uses,  of  the  propriety  of  which  we  have  no  right  to 
judge,  while  to  us  are  only  left  the  ways  and  means  of 
raising  the  money.  We  have  always  thought  and  con- 
tended, that  we  had  a  right  to  dispose  of  our  property 
ourselves ;  and  we  have  always  cheerfully  yielded  our 
assistance  to  His  Majesty  in  that  way,  when  the  exigen- 
cies of  affairs  required  us  so  to  do,  and  he  has  conde- 
scended to  ask  it  from  us.  It  is  the  freedom  of  granting, 
as  well  as  the  mode  of  raising  moneys,  which  this  House 
cannot  voluntarily  part  with,  without  betraying  the  just 
rights  of  the  Constitution.  The  present  Resolution  seems 
to  require  us  to  raise  a  proportion  which  a  Parliament  of 
Great  Britain  may  at  any  time  think  fit  to  grant.  At 
this  time  we  cannot  form  any  judgment,  either  of  the 
extent  of  the  proposition,  or  of  the  consequences  in  which 
the  good  people  of  the  Colony  may  be  involved  by  our 
assent  to  a  provision  so  indeterminate ;  for  it  appears  to 
us  to  be  impossible  to  judge  what  proportion  or  share 
the  people  can  bear,  until  we  know  what  situation  they 
will  be  in  when  any  sum  is  intended  to  be  raised. 

Upon 


* 


142 


Upon  the  whole,  though  sincerely  desirous  to  give 
every  mark  of  duty  and  attachment  to  the  King,  and  to 
show  all  due  reverence  to  the  Parliament  of  our  Parent 
State,  we  cannot,  consistent  with  our  real  sentiments,  and 
the  trust  reposed  in  us,  assent  to  a  proposal  big  with  con- 
sequences destructive  to  the  publick  welfare  ;  and  hope 
that  the  justice  of  our  Parent  Country  will  not  permit  us 
to  be  driven  into  a  situation,  the  prospect  of  which  fills 
us  with  anxiety  and  horrour. 

There  may  be  much  truth  in  the  observation,  "  that 
mankind  generally  act  not  according  to  right,  but  ac- 
cording to  present  interest,  and  most  according  to  present 
passion."  Yet  we  trust  that  our  conduct  on  the  present 
occasion  is  neither  influenced  by  the  one  nor  the 
other;  and  we  persuade  ourselves  that  your  Excellency 
is  so  well  acquainted  with  the  people  you  govern,  that  it 
is  quite  unnecessary  for  us  to  make  use  of  any  means  to 
convince  you  of  the  injustice  of  the  charge,  "that  the 
Americans  have  deeper  views,  and  mean  to  throw  off  all 
dependence  on  Great  Britain,  and  to  get  rid  of  every 
control  of  their  Legislatures." 

We  heartily  pray  that  the  Supreme  Disposer  of  events, 
in  whose  hands  are  the  hearts  of  all  men,  may  avert  the 
calamities  impendingoverus,and  influenceour  Sovereign, 
his  Ministry,  and  the  Parliament,  so  as  to  induce  them  to 
put  a  stop  to  the  eff'usion  of  the  blood  of  the  Colonists,  who 
wish  always  to  look  upon  their  fellow-subjects  in  Great 
Britain  as  their  brethren,  and  are  really  desirous  to  pro- 
mote their  interests  and  happiness  upon  any  reasonable 
terms  ;  and  it  will  give  us  great  pleasure  to  find  your 
Excellency  amongst  those  who,  by  just  and  proper  repre- 
sentations of  the  dispositions  of  the  inhabitants  of  these 
Colonies,  shall  assist  in  settling  of  the  present  unhappy 
differences. 

By  order  of  the  House. 

Cortland  Skinner, 

Speaker. 

House  of  Assembly,  May  19,  1775. 

To  which  his  Excellency  was  pleased  to  make  the  fol- 
lowing Answer : 

Gentlemen : — 


143 


Gentlemen: — I  have  done  my  duty,  I  lost  no  time  in 
laying  before  you  the  propositions  I  liad  received  for  an 
amicable  accommodation  of  the  present  unhappy  differ- 
ences. I  gave  you  as  full  and  candid  an  explanation  of 
them  as  I  vi^as  authorized  or  enabled  to  do.  Whether 
those  propositions  or  my  explanation  of  them  did  or  did 
not  contain  anything  new,  is  but  little  to  the  purpose. 
The  question  is,  whether  they  ought  or  ought  not  to  be 
approved,  either  in  whole  or  in  part,  or  be  made  the 
ground  of  a  negotiation  ;  and  whether,  in  the  latter  case, 
every  Assembly  on  the  Continent  ought  not  to  take  some 
active  measures  to  effect  an  end  so  desirable.  In  stating 
the  matter  to  you,  I  could  have  no  suspicion  that  you 
did  not  think  yourselves  competent  to  the  business,  and 
were  necessarily  to  wait  the  determination  of  another 
body.  It  was  but  the  last  session  you  assured  me  that 
you  would  not  "  suffer  any  of  the  rights  vested  in  you  by 
the  Constitution  to  be  wrested  out  of  your  hands  by 
any  person  or  persons  whatsoever."  I  shall  forbear  to 
point  out  the  inconsistency  of  this  Address  with  that 
declaration.  Nor  shall  I  aim  to  convince  you  of  the 
wrong  ideas  you  have  formed  of  those  propositions. 
Were  they  ever  so  rightly  understood,  or  ever  so  well 
approved  by  yon,  yet,  to  judge  by  your  own  declaration, 
it  would  be  of  no  avail.  The  times  are  indeed  greatly 
altered/  I  shall  be  happy  to  see  some  proper  attempts 
made  to  mend  them.  My  representations  and  endeavours, 
from  the  first  commencement  of  this  unnatural  dispute 
to  this  day,  have  not  been,  nor  shall  they  ever  be,  want- 
ing towards  effecting  a  reconciliation.  I  am  persuaded 
that  if  a  disposition  of  this  sort  is  manifested,  and  the 
proper  steps  are  pursued  by  those  who  have  it  in  their 
power  to  take  the  lead  in  this  important  affair  on  the 
part  of  America,  it  may  be  easily  accomplished  to 
mutual  satisfaction.  His  Majesty,  I  am  sure,  would  wish 
to  avoid  the  shedding  of  the  blood  of  his  American  as 
much  as  that  of  his  British  subjects  They  must  be  all 
equally  dear  to  him,  if  they  are  equally  dutiful.  The 
Americans,  in  general,  have  been,  and  I  hope  will  ever 
prove  as  well  disposed  to  his  Majesty  and  Family,  as  the 
subjects  of  any  other  part  of  the  Dominions. 

The  House  adjourned  till  three  P.  M. 

The 


144 


The  House  met. 

His  Excellency  having  laid  before  the  House  a  copy 
of  the  Resolution  of  the  honourable  the  House  of  Com- 
mons of  Great  Britain,  of  the  20th  of  February,  1775, 
containing  a  plan  formed  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
unhappy  differences  between  our  Parent  State  and  the 
Colonies;  which  plan,  under  the  present  circumstances, 
this  House  could  not  comply  with  and  adopt;  and  yet 
this  House  being  desirous  of  making  use  of  all  proper 
means  to  effect  a  reconciliation,  do  recommend  it  to  their 
Delegates  to  lay  the  same  plan  before  the  Continental 
Congress  for  their  consideration. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Mehelm  and  Mr.  Elmer  do  go  to  the 
Council,  and  inquire  whether  they  have  any  business 
before  them  ;  if  not,  that  this  House  proposes  to  apply  to 
his  Excellency  for  a  dismission. 

Mr.  Mehelm  reported  that  Mr.  Elmer  and  himself 
waited  on  the  Council  accordingly,  who  said  they  had 
nothing  before  them. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Fisher  and  Mr.  Lawrence  do  wait 
upon  his  Excellency,  and  acquaint  him  that  the  House 
having  gone  through  the  business,  is  desirous  of  a  dis- 
mission. 

Mr.  Fisher  reported  that  Mr.  Lawrence  and  himself 
waited  upon  the  Governour  accordingly,  who  was  pleased 
to  say  the  House  should  hear  from  him  presently. 

A  Message  from  his  Excellency  by  Mr.  Deputy  Secre- 
tary Pettit. 

A  MESSAGE  TO   THE  ASSEMBLY. 

Gentlemen  : — It  has  been  my  unhappiness  almost 
every  session  during  the  existence  of  the  present  Assem- 
bly, that  a  majority  of  the  members  of  the  House  have 
suffered  themselves  to  be  persuaded  to  seize  on  every 
opportunity  of  arraigning  my  conduct,  or  fomenting 
some  dispute,  let  the  occasion  be  ever  so  trifling,  or  let 
me  be  ever  so  careful  to  avoid  giving  any  just  cause  or 
offence.  This,  too,  has  been  done  with  such  an  eagerness 
in  the  promoters  of  it  as  can  only  be  accounted  for  on  a 
supposition  that  they  are  either  actuated  by  unmanly 

private 


145 


private  resentment,  or  by  a  conviction  that  their  whole 
political  consequence  depends  upon  a  contention  with 
their  Governour.  Such  effusions  of  ill-humour  have 
never  yet,  however,  nor  is  it  likely  they  ever  will,  pro- 
duce any  benefit  to  the  Province;  on  the  contrary,  they 
have  occasioned  great  delays  and  obstructions  to  the 
publick  business,  and  consequently  been  attended  with 
very  considerable  expense  to  the  people. 

In  this  light,  and  in  no  other,  can  I  look  upon  the 
proceedings  of  your  House  with  respect  to  the  matter 
mentioned  in  your  Message  of  Thursday. 

A  member  receives  a  pamphlet  from  England,  contain- 
ing, as  is  pretended,  an  extract  of  a  letter  from  me  to  the 
Secretary  of  State.  What  does  he  do  with  it?  Does  become 
to  me,  or  does  he  write  to  me  on  the  subject,  or  does  he  even 
request  any  other  person  to  inquire  of  me  whether  the  ex- 
tract is  genuine  or  not  ?  No,  he  treasures  it  up,  till  the 
House  meets ;  but  either  through  motives  of  shame  or 
fear,  he  does  not  choose  to  appear  openly  in  the  affair 
himself  He  looks  around  for  some  person  to  take  the 
odium  of  the  intended  business  off  his  hands,  and  pres- 
ently finds  one  exactly  fitted  to  his  purpose.  The  pam- 
phlet is  accordingly  laid  before  the  Assembly,  the  extract 
is  read,  inserted  at  large  on  the  Minutes,  ordered  a  second 
reading,  and  after  it  had  been  on  record  two  days,  the 
House  at  length  thought  proper  to  send  me  a  message 
requesting  I  would  be  pleased  to  inform  them,  "whether 
the  said  extract  contains  a  true  representation  of  the 
words  or  substance  of  the  letter,  or  any  part  of  the  letter 
by  me  written  relative  to  the  proceedings  of  the  last  ses- 
sion of  Assembly." 

If  such  a  proceedure  does  not  manifest  a  premeditated 
affront,  and  an  intention  to  do  me  a  personal  injury,  let 
any  man  judge,  who  considers  the  several  steps  which 
have  been  taken  in  this  affair,  the  many  falsehoods 
which  have  been  industriously  propagated  respecting 
the  contents  of  the  letter,  and  the  present  turbulent  state 
of  the  Province. 

Some,  if  not  all  of  you,  must  have  known  that  the 
pamphlet  though  called  the  Parlimentary  Register,  was 

not 

11 


146 


not  a  publication  authorized  by  Parliament,  or  of  any 
more  authority  than  a  common  magazine  or  newspaper. 

Nor  can  I  doubt  but  that  some  of  you  must  have  seen 
or  heard  that  what  was  lately  published  in  that  work,  as 
the  Speech  of  the  Earl  of  Chatham,  was  publickly  denied 
by  his  Lordship. 

It  is  well  known  to  be  as  much  the  practice  in  England 
to  write  and  publish  speeches  which  were  never  spoke,  as 
it  is  in  America  to  publish  extracts  of  letters  which  were 
never  wrote  by  the  persons  to  whom  they  are  attributed. 

Besides,  gentlemen,  as  to  the  particular  extract  in  ques- 
tion, I  cannot  but  flatter  myself  that  I  am  not  so  remark- 
able for  writing  nonsense  and  contradictions  but  that 
you  might  have  at  least  doubted  the  genuineness  of  the 
extract  when  you  saw  on  the  very  face  of  it  so  glaring  an 
absurdity  as  could  not  be  supposed  to  have  come  from 
the  pen  of  any  man  of  common  sense.  Would  you  not 
have  thought  me  extremely  deficient  in  the  common 
marks  of  respect  which  is  due  from  one  gentleman  to 
another,  and  much  more  from  one  branch  of  the  Legis- 
lature to  another,  had  I  seen  a  pretended  extract  of  a 
letter,  said  to  be  wrote  by  you  to  your  Agent,  or  from  him 
to  you,  containing  evident  nonsense  and  absurdity,  and 
should  order  it  to  be  read  in  Council,  and  entered  on  the 
minutes  without  making  any  inquiry  as  to  the  authen- 
ticity of  it,  until  two  days  after?  Would  you  not  have 
construed  such  conduct  into  a  designed  affront,  or  sus- 
pected that  it  was  calculated  to  expose  you  to  ridicule, 
or  to  promote  some  intended  injury,  more  especially  in 
times  so  circumstanced  as  the  present. 

I  cannot  think  that  you  have  the  least  right  to  a  sight 
of  any  part  of  my  correspondence  with  the  King's  Min- 
isters, and  I  am  convinced  that  you  would  deem  it  a  very 
improper  request,  were  I  to  ask  you  to  communicate  to 
me  your  correspondence  with  the  Agent  of  this  Province, 
at  the  Court  of  Great  Britain.  I  will,  however,  thus  far 
comply  with  your  request  as  to  assure  you  that  "  the  said 
extract  does  not  contain  a  true  representation  of  the 
words  or  substance  of  my  letter ;"  but  had  you,  before 
you  suffered  it  to  be  entered  on  your  Minutes,  applied  to 
me,  either  in  a  private  or  publick  way,  I  should  have  had 

not 


147 


not  the  least  scruple  to  have  let  you  seen  the  whole  of 
what  I  wrote  "  relative  to  the  proceedings  of  the  last  session 
of  Assembly."  It  has  ever  been  my  rule,  as  it  is  my  duty,  ^ 
to  represent  matters  exactly  in  the  light  as  they  appear 
to  me  from  the  best  information  I  can  obtain  at  the  time 
of  writing  my  dispatches.  If  I  afterwards  find  that  I 
have  been  mistaken  in  anything,  I  never  fail  to  rectify 
the  mistake  as  soon  as  discovered. 

On  the  whole,  gentlemen.  I  have  very  particular  rea- 
sons to  complain  of  the  treatment  I  have  received  on 
account  of  this  pretended  extract.  Great  pains  have 
been  taken  to  pro{)agate  an  idea  that  I  wrote  a  letter  to 
England  inimical  to  the  Province,  or  to  America  in  gen- 
eral. After  it  is  produced  nothing  of  the  kind  appears, 
nor  should  I  have  the  least  objection  to  the  publication 
of  my  whole  correspondence  with  the  King's  Ministers. 
You  have  on  your  Minutes  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  Lord 
Shelburne,  which  will  show  that  the  representations  I 
made  of  the  disposition  and  conduct  of  the  people  of  this 
Province,  at  the  time  of  the  Stamp  Act,  a  time  somewhat 
similar  to  the  present,  were,  to  use  his  Lordship's  words, 
"'much  to  its  honour."  My  sentiments  respecting  the 
present  transactions  I  have  no  scruple  to  declare  do  not  en- 
tirely coincide  with  those  of  either  party.  But  I  trust  that 
those  who  know  me  best  will  do  me  the  justice  to  allow 
that  no  office  or  honour  in  the  power  of  the  Crown  to 
bestow,  will  ever  influence  me  to  forget  or  neglect  the 
duty  I  owe  my  Country,  nor  the  most  furious  rage  of  the 
most  intemperate  zealots  induce  me  to  swerve  from  the 
duty  I  owe  his  Majesty. 

William  Franklin. 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  laying  of  the  Parliamentary  Regis- 
ter before  this  House,  containing  a  publication  said  to  be 
an  extract  of  a  Letter  from  Governour  Franklin  to  Lord 
Dartmouth,  so  far  from  doing  or  carrying  an  appearance 
of  intending  an  injury  to  the  character  of  his  Excellency, 
or  deserving  of  those  personal  reflections  contained  in  his 
Message  to  the  House  of  this  day,  had,  in  the  opinion  of 
this  House,  a  tendency  to  do  him  real  service,  by  giving 
him  an  opportunity  of  exculpating  himself  from  the 

charge 


148 


charge  of  writing  the  said  Letter  or  extract,  if  the  charge 
liad  been  groundless. 

2.  Resolved,  That  Mr.  Fisher,  Mr.  Kinsey,  Mr.  Tucker, 
Mr.  Paxon  and  Mr.  Hinchman  be  a  Committee  to  con- 
sider of  the  said  Message,  and  make  a  report  to  the  next 
sitting  of  Assembly. 

On  the  question,  Whether  the  House  agrees  to  the  said 
Resolution  or  not? 

It  passed  in  the  affirmative: 


Yeas — 

Mr.  Combs,  Eldridge,  Paxon, 

Dey,  Taylor,  Sheppard, 

Holmes,  Kinsey,  Fisher, 

Wetherill,  Tucker,  Sykes, 

Demarest,  Lawrence,  Elmer, 

Hand,  Plewlings,  Rey, 

Dunham,  Mehelm,  Hinchman, 

Winds,  Garritse,  Pettit. 


Nays — 

Mr.  Barton. 

A  Message  from  his  Excellency,  by  Mr.  Deputy  Secre- 
^  tary  Pettit. 

Mr.  Speaker  : — His  Excellency  is  in  the  Council 
Chamber,  and  requires  the  immediate  attendance  of  this 
House. 

Whereupon  Mr.  Speaker,  with  the  House,  waited  upon 
his  Excellency,  who  was  pleased  to  prorogue  the  General 
Assembly  to  the  20th  day  of  June  next,  then  to  meet  at 
Burlington. 


Newark 


Newark  Committee. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  General  Committee  of  Association 
for  the  Township  of  Newark,  in  New  Jersey,  on  Thurs- 
day, the  18th  day  of  May,  1775. 

The  Committee  taking  into  consideration  the  Resolu- 
tions of  the  Committees  of  New  York  and  other  Provinces, 
relative  to  the  suspension  of  all  exportation  to  Quebeck, 
Nova  Scotia,  Georgia,  and  Newfoundland,  or  any  part  of 
the  Fishing  Coasts  and  Fishing  Islands;  and  highly 
approving  the  same,  do  resolve  that  it  be  recommended 
to  the  gentlemen  Traders  of  this  Town,  that  they  stop  all 
exportations  tothe  said  places;  and  also  to  our  constituents 
in  general,  that  they  do  not  supply  any  person  whatsoever 
with  any  kind  of  Exports,  which  they  have  reason  to  be- 
lieve are  designed  for  either  of  those  places,  nor  any  of 
the  King's  ships  or  boats  with  provisions  clandestinely  ; 
nor  in  any  manner  whatsoever  that  may  counteract  any 
Resolutions  that  have  been  made  by  the  Committee  of 
New  York. 

By  order  of  the  Committee. 

Lewis  Ogdex, 

Chairman. 


Instructions  to  Delegates  from  Newark  in  Conorress 
of  New  Jersey. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  General  Committee  of  Association, 
held  at  Newark,  the  18th  day  of  May,  1775: 

The  following  Instructions  to  Isaac  Ogden  and  Philip 
Van  Cortlandt,  Esquires,  Messrs.  Bethuel  Pierson  and 
Caleb  Camp,  the  Deputies  elected  to  represent  said  Town 
in  Provincial  Congress,  were  unanimously  agreed  on  :  | 

Gentlemen : — 


150 


Gentlemen: — The  great,  the  important  crisis  which 
will  determine  the  fate  of  America,  seems  hastily 
approaching;  a  crisis  in  which  not  only  you,  the  fond 
wives  of  your  bosoms,  the  infants  of  your  tenderest 
solicitude,  but  millions  of  your  posterity  yet  unborn, 
and  everything  that  is  near  and  dear  to  you,  worthy 
your  wish,  or  meriting  your  care,  are  deeply  interested; 
a  crisis  which  will  decide  whether  this  Continent  shall 
be  governed  by  the  unlimited  will  of  a  Senate  in  which 
it  has  no  voice;  by  a  power  without  the  right,  over  which 
it  can  have  no  influence  or  control ;  whether  it  shall  be 
forever  bound  in  wretched,  relentless  chains  of  slavery, 
or  whether  the  glorious  sun  of  constitutional  liberty  shall 
still  enliefhten  this  horizon,  and  permanently  shine,  un- 
clouded with  the  tainted  breath  of  despotism. 

To  you,  gentlemen,  is  delegated  by  the  inhabitants  of 
this  Town  one  of  the  most  important  trusts  in  their 
power,  which  nothing  less  than  tyrant  necessity  could 
have  urged  them  to  grant,  or  you  to  accept ;  a  necessity 
which,  with  hearts  glowing  with  affection,  overflowing 
with  loyalty  to  our  Sovereign,  we  unfeignedly  lament. 
We  need  not,  we  mean  not,  gentlemen,  to  wish  you  addi- 
tional firmness  in  the  common  cause ;  your  being  chosen 
to  this  trust  sufficiently  approves  your  principles  and 
steady  regard  to  the  duties,  the  great  interests  of  your 
delegation ;  nor  need  we  advise  that  you  carry  with  you 
that  spirit  of  harmony,  that  firmness  with  moderation, 
which  we  are  happy  to  say  animate  this  part  of  the 
Province;  and  as  we  have  the  pleasure  and  reason  to  ex- 
pect that  the  interests  of  the  general  weal,  on  constitu- 
tional ground,  will  be  the  constant  line  of  your  conduct; 
that  you  will  keep  this  goal  steadily  in  view;  so  we  do 
not  wish  to  bind  you  with  an  embarrassing  chain  of  re- 
strictions, much  less  do  we  presume  to  dictate  measures 
to  the  Provincial  Congress ;  but  shall  only  lay  before  you 
some  outlines  of  a  plan  which  we  desire  you  to  propose 
to  the  wisdom  of  that  Convention. 

Money  has  been  aptly  called  the  sinews  of  war ;  so 
may  it  also  the  anima  that  enlivens,  that  braces  and 
gives  firmness  to  the  nerves  of  our  Constitution.  In  the 
alarming  exigency  rising  before  us,  there  will  probably 

be 


151 


be  occasion  for  a  publick  fund  ;  and  we  could  wish,  as 
the  whole  Province  is  equally  interested,  that  the  burden 
should  be  also  equal.  We  conceive,  when  the  necessary- 
sum  is  fixed  by  the  Congress,  that  the  present  Quota  Bill, 
by  which  the  proportion  of  taxes  in  the  several  Counties 
for  the  support  of  Government,  &c.,  has  been  ascertained, 
will  be  a  just  scale  to  regulate  the  present  occasion;  and 
perhaps  the  Assessors  and  Collectors  in  the  several  Town- 
ships may,  in  general,  be  proper  persons  to  conduct  the 
like  business  leaving  it  in  the  option  of  such  Towns  as 
may  incline  to  make  a  special  choice  of  new  officers  for 
this  purpose. 

We  consider  it  advisable  that  a  certain  number  of  men 
be  immediately  raised,  disciplined,  well  accoutred  with 
arms  and  ammunition,  and  prepared  in  every  respect  for 
an  instant  service. 

That  as  men  who  go  volunteers  will  be  most  likely  to 
be  hearty  in  the  service,  and  the  disagreeable  measure  of 
draughting  from  the  Militia  may  thereby  be  prevented,  a 
roll  be  opened  in  every  Town  where  it  can  be  advanta- 
geously, for  the  enlistment  of  Volunteers,  to  be  prepared 
as  above  mentioned,  for  every  emergency  ;  that  the  Con- 
gress appoint  the  commandant  and  all  the  field  officers, 
and  that  the  General  Committees  of  those  Towns  where 
any  company  or  companies  shall  be  raised,  have  the 
appointment  of  the  Captains  and  subalterns ;  that  one  or 
more  proper  persons  be  empowered  by  the  Congress  to 
sign  and  affix  a  proper  seal  to  the  commissions,  agreeable 
to  such  appoiniment;  that  the  Volunteers,  on  their  en- 
listment, subscribe  certain  articles,  to  oblige  themselves, 
under  certain  penalties,  (to  be  ascertained  by  the  Con- 
gress, similar  to  the  Mutiny  Bill,  if  thought  proper,)  to 
be  obedient  to  their  officers,  and  to  preveait  desertion  ; 
that  proper  persons  be  appointed  for  a  Treasurer  of  said 
fund,  and  for  a  Paymaster  Gener  I,  giving  the  necessary 
security,  &c. ;  that  the  pay  for  the  officevs  and  men  be 
fixed  by  the  Congress ;  and  that  the  said  Volunteers, 
from  the  day  of  their  enlistment,  be  in  discipline  at  least 
so  much  time  as  may  amount  to  one  day  in  a  week ;  and 

also  such  further  time,  not  exceeding  days  in  the 

whole,  per  week,  as  shall  be  judged  expedient  by  the 

said 


152 


said  General  Committees;  that  sufficient  arms  and 
ammunition  for  such  Volunteers  as  are  unable  to  furnish 
themselves  therewith,  and  provisions  for  emergent  occa- 
sions be  provided ;  and  that  every  Volunteer  entrusted 
with  arms,  &c.,  belonging  to  the  Province,  be  obligated  to 
return  tiiem  to  the  Commanding  Officer,  when  called  for, 
except  such  as  may  be  lost  in  the  service,  &c. ;  that  maga- 
zines of  powder  and  other  necessary  military  stores  be 
formed  in  such  parts  of  the  Province  as  shall  be  judged 
most  advantageous  for  emergencies;  that  Commmission- 
ers  be  appointed  to  direct  and  regulate  any  contingent 
business  which  cannot  be  ascertained  with  precision  by 
the  Congress;  that  Muster-Masters  be  appointed  to  re- 
view the  companies,  and  to  take  care  that  none  but  able- 
bodied  men  be  continued  on  the  rolls ;  nor  any  apprentice 
or  servant  enlisted,  without  his  master's  consent  in  writ- 
ing;  that  a  proper  number  of  field-pieces  be  provided, 
and  one  or  more  Artillery  Companies  raised  and  disci- 
plined. As  exigencies  may  happen  which  may  require  a 
greater  force  than  the  number  of  Volunteers  to  be  raised 
as  aforesaid,  that  the  Congress  recommend  it  to  the  Mili- 
tia Captains  throughout  the  Province  to  procure  such 
persons  as  are  capable  of  teaching  military  discipline,  to 
be  paid  out  of  the  publick  fund  ;  and  that  their  men  be 

exercised  at  least    times  per  week  ;   that  it  be 

recommended  by  the  Congress  to  the  several  Towns  or 
Counties  throughout  the  Province,  who  have  not  already 
done  it,  to  appoint  General  Committees  to  enter  into  and 
subscribe  an  Association  of  similar  import  to  that  adopted 
by  this  County. 

We  are  gentlemen,  your  humble  servants. 
By  order  of  the  Committee. 

Lewis  Ogden, 
Chairman. 


To 


153 


To  the  Delegates  of  New  Jersey  in  the  Continental 

Congress. 

(Read  before  Congress  May,  27,  1775.) 

House  op  Assembly,  New  Jersey,  "I 

May  20,  1775.  / 

His  Excellency  having  laid  before  the  House  a  copy 
of  the  Resolution  of  the  honourable  House  of  Commons 
of  Great  Britain,  of  the  twentieth  of  February,  1775, 
containing  a  plan  formed  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
unhappy  differences  between  our  Parent  State  and  the 
Colonies,  which  plan,  under  the  present  circumstances, 
this  House  could  not  comply  with  and  adopt;  and  yet 
this  House,  being  desirous  of  making  use  of  all  proper 
means  to  effect  a  reconciliation,  do  recommend  it  to  their 
Delegates  to  lay  the  same  plan  before  the  Continental 
Congress  for  their  consideration.  A  true  copy  from  the 
Journals. 

Richard  Smith, 
Clerk  of  Assembly. 


Congress 


154 


Congress  of  New  Jersey  to  New  York  Congress. 

In  Provincial  Congress,  New  Jersey,  \ 
Trenton,  May  26,  1775,  j 

Gentlemkn: — We,  the  Deputies  appointed  by  the  in- 
habitants of  this  Province,  to  meet  in  Provincial  Con- 
gress, are  now  convened  here  for  the  purpose  of  pursuing 
such  measures  as  may  be  thouglit  expedient  in  the 
present  unhappy  situation  to  which  the  Colonies  are 
reduced,  and  which  the  peculiar  exigencies  of  the  times 
may  require.  As  nothing  can  tend  more  to  ensure  suc- 
cess to  the  steps  that  may  at  this  critical  juncture 
be  adopted  by  the  several  Provinces,  than  a  uniform 
plan  of  conduct,  we  conceived  it  necessary  to  look  up  to 
the  Continental  Congress  for  their  advice  and  direction 
which  we  have  accordingly  applied  for,  and  hope  soon  to 
receive.  We  also  think  of  consequence,  that  a  corres- 
pondence should  be  established  with  you,  and  our  other 
sister  Colonies,  and  a  free  communication  be  had  from 
time  to  time  of  such  measures  as  may  be  judged  most 
conducive  to  the  interest  of  the  common  cause  ;  and  re- 
quest that  we  may  be  favoured  with  such  intelligence  as 
may  occur  to  you  worthy  of  attention,  and  of  which  our 
situation  may  probably  deprive  us. 

We  are  gentlemen,  your  humble  servants. 

Hendrick  Fisher, 
President. 

To  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New  York. 

The  following  reply  was  received : 

In  Provincial  Congress, 

New  York,  May  29, 1775. 

Gentlemen  : — We  have  received  your  letter  of  the  26tli 
instant,  informing  us  that  your  body  is  formed.  We 
agree  with  you  in  opinion  that  nothing  can  tend  more  to 

ensure 


155 


ensure  success  to  tlie  steps  that  may  be  taken  by  the  sev- 
eral Colonies,  at  this  critical  juncture  than  a  uniform 
plan  of  conduct;  and  we  are  equally  convinced,  that  to 
this  end  we  ou'Tht  to  look  up  to  the  Continental  Congress 
for  advice  and  direction.  We  are  ready  to  establish  a 
correspondence  with  you  and  our  other  sister  Colonies, 
and  a  free  communication  of  such  measures  as  may, 
from  time  to  time,  be  . judged  most  conducive  to  the  com- 
mon cause.  Every  intelligence  to  this  end  we  shall 
most  readily  communicate.  At  the  same  time  permit  us 
to  observe,  that  either  the  directions  of  the  Continental 
Congress  or  the  nature  of  a  particular  measure  may 
render  its  secrecy  absolutely  necessary. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  your  humble  servants. 

To  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New  Jersey,  at  Trenton. 


Burlington  County  Committee. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  General  Committee  of  Observation 
for  the  County  of  Burlington,  in  the  Province  of  New 
Jersey,  at  the  house  of  John  Imlay,  in  the  Township  of 
Mansfield,  June  24,  1775. 

The  Deputies  appointed  for  the  County  of  Burlington, 
to  attend  a  Provincial  Congress  at  Trenton,  in  May  last, 
laid  before  the  Committee  an  Association,  recommended 
by  that  body  to  the  good  people  of  this  Province ;  as  also 
certain  Rules  for  regulating  the  new-raised  Militia,  and 
a  recommendation  to  raise  the  sum  of  Ten  Thousand 
Pounds  for  the  use  of  the  Province  at  this  very  critical 
situation  of  publick  affairs. 

The 


156 


The  Committee  taking  the  said  Papers  into  consider- 
ation, after  some  time  spent  therein,  it  was,  on  motion, 

Resolved,  1st,  That  this  Committee  do  heartily  approve 
of  said  Association,  conceiving  it  to  be  of  the  utmost  im- 
portance towards  the  future  well-being  of  this  County, 
that  the  Magistrates,  and  other  civil  officers  of  Govern- 
ment, should  be  supported  in  the  due  execution  of  their 
respective  offices,  agreeable  to  the  laws  of  this  Colony  ; 
and  that  the  good  people  of  this  County  do  make  use  of 
every  means  in  their  power  to  guard  against  those  dis- 
orders and  confusions,  to  which  the  peculiar  circum- 
stances of  the  times  may  expose  us. 

Resolved,  Sd,  That  as  unanimity  amongst  all  ranks  of 
people,  in  a  virtuous  opposition  to  the  oppressive  meas- 
ures of  the  British  Ministry  and  Parliament  is  the  alone 
foundation  whereon  we  can  hope,  under  Providence,  for 
a  deliverance  from  our  present  grievances,  it  is  most 
earnestly  recommended  and  enjoined  by  this  Committee 
to  the  good  people  of  the  County  of  Burlington,  that  no 
person  or  persons,  on  any  pretence  whatsoever,  do  attempt 
in  the  least  degree  to  injure  or  molest  his  or  their  neigh- 
bour, for  any  supposed  imposition  or  misconduct  that 
they  may  have  been  guilty  of  on  acccount  of  the  present 
calamitous  times,  that  is  not  cognizable  by  the  laws  of 
the  Province;  but  that  he  or  they  do  exhibit  their  com- 
plaint against  such  person  or  persons  before  some  mem- 
ber of  this  Committee,  who  is  hereby  required  to  lay  the 
same  before  the  Chairman,  and  desire  a  general  meeting 
of  the  Committee,  in  order  that  each  party  may  have  a 
fair  hearing. 

Resolved, 3d,  That  any  person  or  persons  in  this  County, 
who  shall  act  contrary  to  the  above  mode  of  proceeding, 
ought  to  be  deemed  a  violator  of  the  eleventh  article  of 
the  Continental  Association,  inimical  to  the  British  Con- 
stitution, and  unfriendly  to  the  liberties  of  America. 

Resolved,  4-ih,  That  this  Committee  do  approve  of  the 
Rules  recommended  by  the  Provincial  Congress,  for  the 
good  Government  of  the  new-raised  Militia,  and  desire 
that  the  respective  Military  officers  in  this  County  will 
conduct  themselves  consistent  therewith. 

Resolved,  5th,  That  this  Committee  do  approve  of  the 

recommendation 


157 


recommendation  of  the  Provincial  Congress  to  raise  the 
sum  of  Ten  Thousand  Pounds  for  the  use  of  the  Province 
at  this  most  critical  and  important  moment,  recommend- 
ing it  to  the  good  people  of  this  County  cheerfully  to 
contrihute  their  apportionment  of  the  same;  and  as  the 
Provincial  Congress  have  ordered  the  said  money  to  be 
disposed  of  by  the  respective  County  Committees,  in  such 
manner  as  they  in  their  discretion  shall  think  most 
proper,  this  Committee  doth,  in  consequence  thereof, 
most  solemnly  assure  their  constituents  that  whatever 
money  may  be  lodged  in  their  hands,  or  in  the  hands  of 
the  collector,  shall  be  faithfully  disposed  of  according  as 
they  may  think  most  beneficial  lor  the  service  of  the 
County,  and  purposes  intended  by  the  Provincial  Con- 
gress ;  and  that,  whenever  the  publick  shall  desire  it, 
they  will  cheerfully  render  a  true  and  proper  account  of 
their  proceedings  and  disbursements,  that  every  member 
of  the  community  may  know  that  his  contribution  has 
not  been  embezzled  or  wasted. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Committee. 

Peter  Tallman, 

Chairman. 


Elizabeth  town  Committee  To  Committee  of  New 

York. 


Committee  Chamber,  1 
Elizabethtown,  July  6,  1775.  / 


Sir  : — We  have  just  received  information  that  one 

William 


158 


William  McLeod,  son  of  Captain  McLeod,  of  this  place, 
lately  appointed  an  Ensign  in  the  Fifty-Second  Regi- 
ment at  Boston,  left  this  Town  early  this  morning  and 
went  to  New  York,  in  order  to  take  passsage  from  thence 
to  join  his  Regiment.  We  have  thought  fit  to  give  you 
this  intelligence  that  you  may  do  what  you  think  proper 
on  the  occasion.  As  soon  as  we  got  notice  of  his  depart- 
ure for  such  a  purpose,  his  baggage  was  detained. 
By  order  of  the  Committee. 

JoNA.  Hampton, 

Chairman. 

To  the  General  Committee  of  New  York. 


Mendham,  Morris  County,  Committee. 

July  8,  1775. 

Whereas,  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  the  Town- 
ship of  Mendham,  in  the  County  of  Morris,  having  legally 
notified  Ezekial  Beach  to  appear  before  us,  to  answer 
sundry  charges  exhibited  against  him  touching  his  un- 
friendly conversation  and  conduct  towards  the  Conti- 
nental Association  ;  said  Beach  not  appearing,  we  do 
agree  for  ourselves,  and  recommend  it  to  all  others,  to 
break  off  all  dealings  or  connection  with  him,  agreeable 
to  the  Eleventh  Article  of  the  Continental  Association. 
Signed  by  order  of  the  Committee. 

David  Thompson, 

Chairman. 

Elizabeth  town 


159 


Elizabethtown  Committee  to  New  York  Committee. 

Elizabethtown,  Monday  July  17,  1775. 

Gentlemen  : — We  have  this  moment  received  from  the 
Committee  of  Philadelphia  four  hogsheads,  said  to  con- 
tain fifty-two  quarter-casks  of  powder,  wliich  they  direct 
to  be  conveyed  to  Dobbs'  Ferry,  there  to  be  delivered  to 
tlie  order  of  your  Committee.  We  are  sorry  to  say,  that 
this  powder  has  been  coming  from  Philadel{)hia  since  the 
first  instant;  this  accidental  delay  makes  the  utmost  des- 
patch necessary,  which  we  doubt  not  you  will  promote  as 
far  as  is  in  your  power. 

We  are,  Gentlemen,  your  most  humble  servants. 

JoNA.  Hampton, 

Chairman. 

To  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  City  of  New 
York. 

P.  S. — The  powder  will  be  at  Dobbs'  Ferry  by  nine 
o'clock  to-morrow  morning.  , 


Elizabethtown  Committee. 

Committee  Chamber,  Elizabethtown,  1 

July  17,  1775.  j 

Resolved,  That  this  Committee,  for  every  hundred 
weight  of  Saltpetre  made  within  this  Town  for  the  first 
three  months  after  this  day,  will  pay  the  sum  of  twenty 
Pounds,  proclamation  money  of  New  Jersey,  on  the  de- 
livery thereof  to  this  Committee,  and  fifteen  Pounds,  of 
same  currency,  for  the  like  quantity  of  Saltpetre,  made 
and  delivered  as  aforesaid,  within  the  next  three  months 
thereafter. 

The  Chairman  of  this  Committee  having  received  a 

letter 


160 


letter  from  Mr.  Richard  Lawrence,  a  Delegate  of  Rich- 
mond County  for  the  Provincial  Congress  of  the  Colony 
of  New  York,  informing  that  tlie  inhabitants  of  said 
County  had,  in  general,  signed  the  Association  recom- 
mended by  the  Committee  of  New  York,  this  Committee 
are  therefore  of  opinion  that  the  inhabitants  of  said 
County  be  restored  to  their  commercial  privileges  with 
the  inhabitants  of  this  Town. 

By  order  of  the  Committee. 

Jonathan  Hampton, 

Chairman. 


Elizabethtown  Committee  to  New  York  Congress. 

Elizabethtown,  July  25, 1775. 

Sir  : — Under  the  conduct  of  Sergeant  Faulker,  with  a 
file  of  men,  I  have,  by  an  order  of  our  Committee,  sent 
three  persons  as  prisoners,  who  were  apprehended  here 
on  this  day  on  suspicion  of  being  deserters  from  Gen. 
Wooster's  camp.  We  have  not  been  able  to  draw  any 
confession  out  of  them  to  the  purpose;  they  differ  widely 
in  their  stories,  which  renders  them  so  suspicious  that 
we  have  thought  proper  to  send  them  to  your  Committee 
for  further  examination  and  inquiry. 

By  order  of  the  Sub-Committee. 

Jon  A.  Hampton, 

Chairman. 

P.  S. — The  prisoners  all  agree  that  they  came  from 
New  Haven  together,  but  differ  as  to  the  time  ;  and  one 
of  them  was  lately  seen  by  one  of  our  members  in  the 
camp,  which  gives  us  strong  suspicion  of  their  being 
deserters  from  Waterbury's  Regiment,  now  under  march- 
ing orders. 


New 


161 


New  Brunswick  Committee  to  New  York  Com- 
mittee of  Safety. 

City  of  New  Brunswick,  July  27,  1775. 

Gentlemen: — Your  favour  of  the  21st  instant  came 
safe  to  hand,  the  contents  of  which  was  duly  observed. 

Application  was  immediately  made  to  Mr.  Merrill,  who 
says,  about  three  weeks  past  a  person  coming  from  Egg 
Harbour,  when  within  the  Hook,  saw  a  boat  standing 
down  our  bay,  that  he  thought  was  loaded  with  flour, 
which  boat,  he  believes,  went  along  side  the  man-of-war. 
This  is  all  he  ever  heard  or  knows  of  the  matter.  Every 
other  inquiry  in  our  power  has  been  made,  but  can  make 
no  further  discovery. 

All  intelligences  and  discoveries  of  every  action  inimi- 
cal to  American  liberty,  and  every  matter  of  instruction 
for  our  better  preservation  and  protection,  will  be  paid 
due  regard  to  and  cheerfully  received  from  you  by  the 
Committee  of  this  City. 

Assure  yourselves,  gentlemen,  that  this  Committee  has 
and  ever  will  be  ready  to  render  to  their  country  every 
service  in  their  power,  and  will  continue  to  give  a  strict 
attention  to,  and  duly  observe  all  resolutions  formed  by 
the  Continental  Congress. 

We  are,  with  esteem,  gentlemen,  your  obedient  humble 
servants. 

John  Dennis, 
Chairman. 

To  Mr.  Henry  Williams,  Chairman  of  the  Committee 
of  Safety,  New  York. 


12 


Meeting 


162 


Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  of  Somerset  County, 
New  Jersey, 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  of  the  County  of 
Somerset,  in  the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  assembled  at 
the  Court  House  in  said  County,  on  Friday  the  28th  day 
of  July,  1775,  pursuant  to  advertisements  of  the  late 
Committee  of  Correspondence,  Hendrick  Fisher,  Esq., 
Chairman,  John  Leferty,  Secretary. 

The  said  Freeholders  being  informed  that  the  late 
Committee  of  Correspondence  for  this  County  expired 
the  15th  day  of  July  instant,  and  being  convinced  of  the 
necessity  of  choosing  a  new  Committee  of  Correspondence 
for  the  County,  do  Resolve,  That  a  new  Committee  of 
Correspondence,  to  consist  of  seventeen  persons,  be  chosen 
for  this  County  by  ballot. 

Adjourned  for  one  hour. 

Met  according  to  adjournment;  when  the  following 
gentlemen  were  elected  a  Committee  of  Correspondence 
for  this  County,  viz:  The  Rev.  Dr.  John  Witherspoon, 
Jacob  Bogart,  John  Gaston,  Gisbart  Bogart,  Gabriel  Og- 
den,  Garret  Voorhees,  Cornelius  Van  Muliner,  Thomas 
Berry,  Stephen  Hunt,  Rowland  Chambers,  Matthew  Ten 
Eyck,  William  Annin,  Ruloff  Van  Dicke,  Jacob  Bergen, 
Hendrick  Van  Middlesworth,  Lucas  Voorhees,  and  Eben- 
ezer  Tingley. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended,  and  it  is  hereby 
recommended  to  every  township  in  this  County,  to  assem- 
ble as  soon  as  possible,  and  choose  for  their  respective 
Townships  nine  persons,  to  be  a  Committee  of  Inspection 
to  take  cognizance  of  all  violations  of  the  measures  recom- 
mended by  the  Representatives  of  the  people  in  their 
District.  And  this  County  do  further  recommend  that 
every  Township  Committee  do  choose  from  among  them- 
selves three  persons,  who  shall  meet  when  called  upon, 
with  an  equal  number  of  persons  from  every  Township 
Committee,  and  form  a  General  Committee  of  Inspection 
for  the  County,  in  case  of  an  appeal,  or  when  matters  of 

importance 


163 


importance  require  the  sense  of  the  County,  or  when  a 
Township  Committee  choose  not  to  decide  on  a  case  by 
themselves. 

Resolved,  That  the  Chairman  of  the  late  Committee  of 
Inspection  for  each  Township  do  notify  a  meeting  of  the 
inhabitants  of  their  Township,  for  the  purpose  of  choosing 
the  aforesaid  Committee  of  Inspection. 

Resolved,  That  the  County  do  earnestly  recommend  to, 
and  they  do  hereby  instruct  their  Committee  of  Inspec- 
tion, to  be  vigilant  and  active  in  the  discharge  of  tlieir 
duty,  in  taking  cognizance  of  every  person  of  whatsoever 
rank  or  condition,  who  shall,  either  by  word  or  deed,  en- 
deavour to  destroy  our  unanimity  in  opposing  the  arbi- 
trary and  cruel  measures  of  the  British  Ministry  ;  and  so 
deal  with  him  or  them  as  to  the  particular  Committee  of 
Inspection  where  the  offender  resides,  or  to  the  General 
Committee  of  Inspection,  (if  an  appeal  or  other  reason 
require  the  same  to  be  called,)  shall  seem  most  conducive 
to  prevent  any  injury  to  the  glorious  cause  of  American 
freedom. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  above 
chosen,  and  the  Committees  of  Inspection  to  be  chosen 
for  the  different  Townships  of  this  County,  dc  continue 
until  the  first  Monday  in  May  next ;  after  which,  the 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  shall 
within  three  weeks  call  a  meeting  of  the  County.  And 
in  all  cases  when  it  shall  be  thought  necessary  to  have 
the  County  assembled,  the  Secretary  is  hereby  authorized 
and  directed  to  give  as  publick  notice  thereof  as  possible  ; 
and  this  County  do  agree  to  defray  the  expenses  thence 
arising. 

Ordered,  That  the  foregoing  Resolves  and  Proceedings 
be  published  in  one  of  the  New  York  newspapers. 
A  true  copy  from  the  Minutes. 

John  Leferty, 

Secretary. 

A  draught  of  a  Letter  to  the  Committee  at  Brunswick, 
in  New  Jersey,  was  read  and  approved,  and  is  in  the 
words  following,  to  wit : 


Committee 


164 


Committee  of  Safety,  ^ 
For  the  Colony  of  New  York,  V 
July  21,  1775.  j 

Gentlemen: — We  have  had  intelligence  that  boats 
have  sundry  times  loaded  flour  at  or  about  your  City, 
and  have  run  down  to  the  west  bank,  and  there  met 
boats  to  take  it  from  them  for  the  use  of  the  men-of-war 
and  the  Army  at  Boston.  As  this  is  contrary  to  the  resolu- 
tion of  the  Continental  Congress,  it  is  a  matter  that  requires 
your  strictest  inspection  to  prevent  such  traders  from 
pursuing  a  business  inimical  to  the  cause  of  liberty  in 
the  United  Colonies. 

We  have  been  informed  that  Mr.  Merrill,  opposite  to 
or  near  Brunswick,  can  give  you  farther  information  on 
the  subject.  We  are,  respectfully,  gentlemen,  your  very 
humble  servants.  Per  order  of  the  Committee.  To  the 
Committee  at  New  Brunswick. 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  thereof  be  engrossed,  and  signed 
by  the  President,  and  transmitted. 


Bergen  County  Committee. 

Bergen  County  Committee  Chamber,  "I 

August  29,  1775.  j 

Resolved,  That  Peter  Zabriskie,  Jacob  Terhune,  John 
Demarest  and  Joost  Zabriskie,  be  a  Committee  of  Safety, 

to 


1G5 


to  act  for  the  County  during  the  recess  of  the  County 
Committee. 

Resolved,  That  all  male  persons,  above  sixteen  and 
under  fifty  years  old,  who  have  removed  or  shall  here- 
after remove  from  other  Provinces  or  other  Counties  into 
this  County,  during  the  present  unhappy  contest  between 
Great  Britain  and  the  American  Colonies,  shall  be  en- 
rolled in  the  Militia  Company  of  the  District  within 
which  such  Companies  shall  respectively  reside;  and  that 
all  such  as  neglect  or  refuse  to  come  under  the  Militia 
Regulations  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  this  Province 
shall  be  immediately  desired  to  leave  the  County. 
By  order  of  the  Committee. 

John  Fell, 
Chairman. 


To  the  Honourable  the  Delegates  of  the  Thirteen 
United  Colonies  in  General  Congress  Assembled. 

The  Committee  for  the  County  of  Cumberland,  in  the 
Province  of  New  Jersey,  beg  leave  to  represent : 

That  the  good  people  of  this  County  have  ever  showed 
themselves  forward  in  the  cause  of  liberty,  being  the  first 
in  (at  least  this  part  of  it)  the  Province  that  took  up 
arms  in  support  of  the  common  cause,  ever  since  which 
they  have  been  diligently  engaged  in  learning  the  mili- 
tary art,  and  furnishing  themselves  with  the  implements 
of  war;  notwithstanding  which,  they  have  not  been  able 
to  provide  themselves  with  a  sufficient  quantity  of  ammu- 
nition, 


166 


iiition,  particularly  powder,  of  which  article  they  assure 
us  they  have  not  a  surficient  quantity  to  enable  them  to 
defend  their  property,  in  case  of  any  emergency,  until  a 
supply  could  be  procured  from  Philadelphia.  We  can- 
not but  think  this  circumstance  truly  alarming,  when 
we  consider  that  we  lie  open,  defenceless,  and  exposed  to 
the  depredations  of  Ministerial  robbers,  should  they  think 
proper  to  enter  our  Bay. 

These  considerations,  joined  to  the  probability  we  con- 
ceive there  is  that  General  Gage  will,  before  the  begin- 
ning of  the  winter,  try  every  method,  and  ransack  every 
place  that  may  be  in  his  power,  to  furnish  his  Troops 
with  fresh  provisions,  will,  we  apprehend,  fully  appolo- 
gize  for  this  our  application  to  your  honourable  Board 
for  relief,  especially'  when  we  assure  you  that  we  have 
taken  every  method  in  our  power  to  furnish  ourselves. 
We  therefore  earnestly  beg  you  would  take  such  meas- 
ures for  our  relief  in  the  premises  as  to  you  shall  seem 
meet,  assuring  you  that  you  may  with  the  greatest  safety 
rely  on  our  taking  everj'  precaution  necessary  for  securing 
any  powder  you  may  be  pleased  to  order  for  our  relief, 
and  that  none  of  it  shall  be  used  but  in  support  of  the 
rights  and  privileges  of  our  countrymen. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Committee. 

Thomas  Harris, 

Chairman. 

September  30,  1775. 


Hendrick 


167 


Hendrick  Fisher  to  New  York  Committee  of 
Safety. 

New  Jersey,  September  30,  1775. 

Sir: — As  our  Committee  of  Safety  is  at  present  not 
sitting,  on  receiving  your  favour  of  the  27th  instant,  by 
order  of  your  Committee,  I  immediately  advised  with 
some  of  our  Committee  members,  who  were  of  opinion, 
witli  me,  that  as  our  Provincial  Congress  is  to  meet  on 
Tuesday,  the  3d  of  October  next,  which  is  as  early  as  our 
Committee  possibly  can  be  convened,  to  lay  your  request 
before  them,  which  I  shall  do  accordingly,  as  soon  as 
they  have  formed  a  board,  and  doubt  not  but  they  will 
do  therein  what  is  most  proper. 

I  have  the  honour  to  subscribe  myself  your  (and  the 
other  gentlemen  of  your  Committee)  very  obedient  and 
most  humble  servant. 

I  Hendrick  Fisher. 

To  John  Haring,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  the  Committee 
of  Safety  for  the  Province  of  New  York. 


Sussex 


1G8 


Sussex  County  Committee. 

In  Committee,  Sussex  County,  New  Jersey,  \ 
October  5,  1775.  j 

George  McMurtrie,  of  Hardwick,  being  brought 
before  this  Committee,  and  charged  with  having 
spoke  very  contemptously  and  disrespectfully  of  the 
Continental  and  Provincial  Congresses ;  which  being 
fully  proved,  it  is  resolved  that  the  said  George  McMur- 
trie be  advertised  in  the  publick  prints  as  an  enemy  to 
his  Country,  and  that  no  person  or  persons  have  any 
dealings  or  connection  with  him  until  he  shall  cause  an 
acknowledgment  of  his  fault  to  be  published  in  one  of 
the  New  York  or  Philadelphia  newspapers,  on  pain  of 
being  deemed  inimical  to  the  liberties  of  America. 
By  order  of  the  Committee. 

Jacob  McCollom, 
Chairman  pro  tern. 


Extracts 


From  the  Journal  of  Proceedings  of  the  Provin- 
cial Congress  of  New  Jersey,  held  at  Tren- 
ton, IN  the  Months  of  May,  June  and  August, 

1775- 


Provincial  Congress. 

LIST  OF  THE  DEPUTIES  WHO  ATTENDED  IN  MAY  AND  JUNE. 

Bergen — John  Fell,  John  Demarest,  Hendrick  Kuyper, 
Abraham  Van  Boskirk,  Edo  Merselius. 

Essex — Henry  Garritse,  Michael  Vreeland,  Robert 
Drummond,. John  Berry,  William  P.  Smith,  John  Slites, 
John  Chetwood,  Abraham  Clark,  Elias  Boudinot,  Isaac 
Ogden,  Philip  Van  Cortlandt,  Bethuel  Pierson,  Caleb 
Camp. 

Middlesex — Nathaniel  Heard,  Willian  Smith,  John 
Dunn,  John  Lloyd,  Azariah  Dunham,  John  Schurman, 
John  Wetherill,  David  Williamson,  Jonathan  Sergeant, 
Jonathan  Baldwin,  Jonathan  Deare. 

Morris — William  Winds,  William  De  Hart,  Jonathan 
Stiles,  Peter  Dickerson,  Jacob  Drake,  Ellis  Cook,  Silas 
Condit. 

Somerset — Hendrick  Fisher,  John  Roy,  Peter  Schenck, 
Abraham  Van  Neste,  Enos  Kelsey,  Jonathan  D.  Sergeant, 
Frederick  Frelinghuysen,  William  Paterson. 

Sussex — Archibald  Stewart,  Edward  Dumont,  William 
Maxwell,  Eph  raim  Martin. 

Monmouth — Edward  Taylor,  Joseph  Saltar,  Robert 
Montgomery,  John  Holmes,  John  Covenhoven,  Daniel 
Hendrickson,  Nicholas  Van  Brunt. 

Hunterdon — 


170 


Hunterdon — Samuel  Tucker,  John  Mehelm,  John 
Hart,  John  Stout,  Jasper  Smith,  Thomas  Lowry,  Charles 
Stewart,  Daniel  Hunt,  Ral[)li  Hart,  Jacob  Jennings, 
Richard  Stevens,  Jolin  Stevens,  Jr.,  Thomas  Stout, 
Thomas  Jones,  John  Basset. 

Burlington — Joseph  Borden,  Isaac  Pearson,  Colin 
Campbell,  Joseph  Read,  John  Pope. 

Gloucester — John  Cooper,  Elijah  Clark,  John  Sparks. 

Cumberland — Samuel  Fithian,  Jonathan  Elmer, 
Thomas  Ewing. 

Salem — Andrew  Sinnickson,  Robert  Johnson,  Samuel 
Dick,  Jacob  Scoggin,  James  James. 

Cape  May — Jesse  Hand. 


Tuesday,  May  23, 1775. 

The  Provincial  Congress  having  been  appointed  to 
convene  this  day  at  Trenton,  a  large  number  of  the  Dep- 
uties accordingly  assembled ;  and  the  day  was  spent  in 
examining  and  comparing  the  certificates  of  election  of 
the  several  members  present. 

Wednesday,  May  24, 1775, 

The  Congress  proceeded  to  the  choice  of  a  President, 
when  Hendrick  Fisher,  Esq.,  was  duly  elected;  Jonathan 
D.  Sergeant,  Esq.,  w^s  chosen  Secretary,  and  William 
Paterson,  Esq.,  and  Mr.  Frederick  Frelinghuysen  his 
assistants. 

Inasmuch  as  the  business  on  which  this  Congress  are 
now  assembled,  and  is  likely  to  engage  their  delibera- 
tions, appears  to  be  of  the  highest  moment,  and  may  in 
the  event  affect  the  lives  and  properties,  the  religion  and 
liberties  of  their  constituents,  and  of  their  remotest  pos- 
terity, it  unquestionably  becomes  the  representative  body 
of  a  christian  community  to  look  up  to  that  all-powerful 
Being,  by  whose  providence  all  human  events  are  guided, 
humbly  imploring  His  divine  favor,  in  presiding  over 
and  directing  their  present  councils  towards  the  re-estab- 
lishment 


171 


lisbmont  of  order  and  harmony  between  Great  Britain 
and  lier  distressed  Colonies;  and  that  He  would  be 
graciously  pleased  to  succeed  the  measures  that  may  be 
devised  as  most  conducive  to  these  desirable  ends.  It  is 
therefore  ordered,  that  the  President  do  wait  upon  the 
ministers  of  the  gospel  in  this  town,  and,  in  behalf  of 
this  Congress,  request  their  alternate  attendance  and  ser- 
vice every  morning  at  eight  o'clock,  during  the  session, 
in  order  that  the  business  of  the  day  may  be  opened  with 
prayer  for  the  above  purposes. 

The  President  opened  to  the  Congress  the  important 
occassion  of  their  meeting — recommended  the  utmost 
deliberation  in  determining  on  the  measures  to  be  pursued 
in  defending  those  inestimable  rights  and  privileges  to 
which,  by  our  happy  constitution,  the  inhabitants  of  this 
Province  are  justly  entitled — and  that  due  care  might  be 
taken  to  support  the  established  civil  authority  (so  far  as 
might  consist  with  the  preservation  of  their  fundamental 
liberties)  for  the  maintenance  of  good  order  and  the  un- 
disturbed administration  of  justice. 

The  Congress  then  took  into  consideration  the  present 
unhappy  contest  between  Great  Britain  and  these  Colo- 
nies, which  they  determined  to  be  of  such  a  nature,  and 
had  arrived  to  such  a  crisis,  that  this  convention  had 
become  absolutely  necessary,  in  order  to  provide  such 
ways  and  means  for  the  security  of  the  Province,  as  the 
exigencies  of  the  times  require  ;  and,  at  the  same  time, 
declared,  that  they  had  assembled  with  the  profoundest 
veneration  for  the  person  and  family  of  his  sacred 
Majesty  George  III,  firmly  professing  all  due  allegiance 
to  his  rightful  authority  and  government. 

Whereas  a  majority  of  the  several  legislative  repre- 
sentatives of  this  Colony,  in  General  Assembly  convened  at 
Perth  Amboy,  in  January  last,  was  instructed  and  author- 
ized by  their  constituents  to  elect  and  appoint  Deputies  to 
represent  this  Province  in  the  Continental  Congress  now 
sitting  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia;  and  whereas  the  said 
General  Assembly  did  accordingly  elect  and  appoint 
Stephen  Crane,  James  Kinsey,  William  Livingston,  John 
De  Hart  and  Richard  Smith,  Esquires,  for  that  purpose: 
and  whereas  some  of  the  Counties  of  this  Colony  omitted 

so 


172 


so  to  instruct  and  authorize  their  said  legislative  repre- 
sentatives, who,  notwithstanding,  cordially  joined  in  the 
said  election  and  appointment.  This  Congress  do  there- 
fore heartily  approve  of  the  said  Stephen  Crane,  James 
Kinsey,  William  Livingston,  John  De  Hart  and  Richard 
Smith,  as  Representatives  of  this  Province  in  the  said 
Continental  Congress;  and  do  also  sincerely  thank  the 
House  of  Assembly  for  the  laudible  regard  they  have 
shewn  for  the  rights  and  liberties  of  the  good  people  of 
this  Province,  in  timely  adopting  the  Continental  Asso- 
ciation, and  resolving  in  favour  of  the  resolutions  and 
proceedings  of  the  late  Continental  Congress.  And  it  is 
unanimously  agreed  and  resolved,  that  it  will  be  most 
eligible  for  the  inhabitants  of  each  respective  County  in 
this  Colony,  whenever  a  Continental  Congress  shall  be 
again  necessary,  to  appoint  and  empower  Deputies  to 
meet  in  Provincial  Congress,  for  the  purpose  of  electing 
Delegates  to  represent  this  Province  in  such  Continental 
Congress. 

Ordered,  That  all  votes  be  taken  from  the  Counties  re- 
spectively, so  that  the  vote  of  each  County  be  taken  as  one. 

The  Congress  having  considered  the  application  of 
about  two  hundred  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Township  of 
Shrewsbury,  in  the  County  of  Monmouth,  calling  them- 
selves Associators  of  the  said  Township,  do  unanimously 
advise,  that  the  persons  appointed  by  the  said  present 
Associators,  as  their  Committee,  do  immediately  adver- 
tise a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  Township  of 
Shrewsbury,  in  order  to  choose  a  Committee  of  Observa- 
tion for  the  said  Township,  and  adopt  the  Association 
recommended  by  the  Continental  Congress;  and,  after 
such  choice  and  adoption,  to  elect  Deputies,  one  or  more, 
to  represent  them  in  this  Congress.  And  that  the  per- 
sons who  shall  be  so  elected,  by  a  majority  of  the  inhabit- 
ants attending  the  said  meeting  of  the  Township,  be 
received  as  members  of  this  Congress.  And  in  case  of 
the  refusal  or  neglect  of  the  Township  so  to  do,  then  this 
Congress  do  advise  the  said  Committee  of  the  present 
Associators  to  send  a  Deputy  or  Deputies  for  theniselves 
to  this  Congress;  and  do  direct  the  said  Committee  to 

make 


173 


make  and  certify  their  report  to  this  Congress  of  wliat 
shall  have  been  done  in  this  behalf. 


Thursday,  May  25. 

Samuel  Tucker,  Esquire,  was  elected  Vice  President  by 
plurality  of  votes. 

The  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  a  written 
message  to  the  Continental  Congress,  which,  after  certain 
amendments,  was  approved  and  ordered  to  be  entered, 
and  a  copy  to  be  made  and  signed  by  the  President; 
which  message  is  in  the  words  following,  viz. : 

Gentlemen  : — In  the  present  alarming  crisis,  we  have 
been  appointed  by  the  several  Counties  of  this  Province 
as  their  Deputies  to  meet  in  Provincial  Congress.  We 
are  accordingly  now  convened  in  this  place,  with  dis- 
positions most  heartily  to  concur  to  the  utmost  of  our 
abilities,  in  the  common  cause  of  America.  Yet  we  think 
it  not  advisable  to  enter  into  any  measures  of  conse- 
quence, until  some  general  plan  may  be  agreed  to  and 
recommended  by  you.  In  this  first  instance  of  such 
assembly  in  the  Colony,  without  any  precedent  among 
ourselves  to  direct  us,  and,  at  the  same  time,  anxiously 
concerned  to  make  our  Provincial  measures  consistent 
with  that  plan  which  may  be  devised  and  recommended  by 
the  Continental  Congress,  we  have  judged  it  necessary  to 
address  ourselves  to  you  for  such  advice  and  assistance 
as  you  in  your  wisdom  may  think  proper  to  favour  us 
with.  For  this  purpose  we  have  deputed  William  P. 
Smith  and  Elias  Boudinot,  Esquires,  the  bearers  hereof, 
whom  we  recommend,  requesting  that  you  will  be  pleased 
to  furnish  us  by  them  with  such  directions  concerning 
the  line  of  conduct  in  which  we  ought  to  act,  as  may  pre- 
vent any  measures  we  shall  adopt  from  marring  or  ob- 
structing the  general  views  of  the  Congress,  or  disappoint- 
ing your  expectations. 

We  are, 

Gentlemen,  &c. 

Friday, 


174 

Friday,  May  26. 

The  Continental  Congress  having  resolved  unani- 
mously, "  That  all  exportations  to  Quebec,  Nova  Scotia, 
the  Island  of  St.  John's,  Newfoundland,  Georgia,  (except 
the  parish  of  St.  John's)  and  to  East  and  West  Florida, 
immediately  cease;  and  that  no  provisions  of  any  kind, 
or  other  necessaries,  be  furnished  to  the  British  fisheries 
on  the  American  coasts,  until  it  be  otherwise  determined 
by  the  Congress. 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  this  Congress  do  earnestly 
recommend  to  the  good  people  of  this  Province,  that  they 
do  most  religiously  adhere  to  the  said  Resolution ;  and 
that  the  Secretary  do  publish  this  Resolve  in  one  or 
more  of  the  public  newspapers. 

The  Committee  appointed  for  opening  a  correspond- 
ence with  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New  York,  reported 
a  draught  of  a  le  ter  for  that  purpose;  which  was  read, 
approved,  and  ordered  to  be  entered ;  and  a  copy  to  be 
made  out  and  signed  by  the  President;  which  letter  was 
in  the  words  following,  viz  : 

Gentlemen  : — We,  the  Deputies  appointed  by  the  in- 
habitants of  New  Jersey  to  meet  in  Provincial  Congress, 
are  now  convened  here,  for  the  purpose  of  pursuing  such 
measures  as  may  be  thought  most  expedient  in  the  pres- 
ent unhappy  situation  to  which  the  Colonies  are  reduced, 
and  which  the  peculiar  exigencies  of  the  times  may  re- 
quire. As  nothing  can  tend  more  to  ensure  success  to 
the  steps  which  may,  at  this  critical  juncture,  be  adopted 
by  the  several  Provinces,  than  a  uniform  plan  of  conduct; 
we  conceived  it  necessary  to  look  up  to  the  Continental 
Congress  for  their  advice  and  direction  ;  which  we  have 
accordingly  applied  for,  and  hope  soon  to  receive.  We 
also  think  it  of  consequence  that  a  correspondence  should 
be  established  with  you  and  our  other  sister  Colonies, 
and  a  free  communication  be  had,  from  time  to  time,  of 
such  measures  as  may  be  judged  most  conducive  to  the 
interest  of  the  common  cause;  and  we  request  to  be 
favoured  with  such  intelligence  as  may  occur  to  you, 
worthy  of  attention,  and  of  which  our  situation  may 
probably  deprive  us.    We  are,  &c. 

Monday, 


175 


Monday,  May  29. 

Pierpoint  Edwards,  Esq.,  one  of  a  Committee  from  the 
Assembly  of  Connecticut  to  this  Congress,  attended  with 
certain  propositions  and  instructions,  which  were  received 
and  read,  and  ordered  to  be  referred  for  further  consider- 
ation. 

Messrs.  Daniel  Hendrickson  and  Nicholas  Van  Brunt, 
from  the  Township  of  Shrewsbury,  in  the  County  of  Mon- 
mouth, produced  a  certificate  that  the  said  Township  had 
chosen  a  Committee  of  Observation  pursuant  to  the 
directions  of  the  Continental  Congress,  and  that  they 
had  elected  these  gentlemen  as  Deputies  to  represent  the 
said  Township  in  this  Congress.  The  said  certificate  was 
allowed  and  filed. 


Tuesday,  May  30. 

William  P.  Smith  and  Elias  Boudinot,  Esqrs.,  the 
Committee  sent  by  this  Congress  with  a  message  to  the 
Continental  Congress,  returned  with  a  written  answer, 
importing,  that  the  Congress  were  not  as  yet  prepared  to 
give  any  advice  on  the  state  of  this  Province,  and  prom- 
ising the  same  as  soon  as  they  should  be  prepared. 

Jonathan  D.  Sergeant,  Esq.,  having  resigned  his  office 
of  Secretary  to  this  Congress,  William  Paterson,  Esq.,  was 
chosen  Secretary  and  Mr.  Frederick  Frelinghuysen  Dep- 
uty Secretary. 

The  Congress  received  a  letter  from  the  Provincial 
Congress  of  New  York,  in  answer  to  theirs  of  the  26th 
instant,  importing  their  readiness  to  establish  a  corres- 
pondence with  us,  and  a  free  communication  of  such 
measures  as  may  from  time  to  time  be  judged  conducive 
to  promote  the  common  cause. 

Wednesday,  May  31. 

The  petition  of  Robert  Murray  and  John  Murray, 
setting  forth  their  sincere  contrition  for  violating  the 

Continental 


176 


Continental  Association,  and  their  determined  resolution 
for  the  future  strictly  to  observe  the  same,  &c.,  was  read, 
and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  petition  of  Robert  and  John  Murray  was  read  a 
second  time;  and,  being  now  considered,  it  was  unani- 
mously resolved,  that  the  petitioners,  having  made  the 
best  satisfaction  in  their  power  for  their  former  breach  of 
the  general  Continental  agreement,  and  expressed  their 
resolution  strictly  to  adhere  to  the  same  in  future,  ought 
to  be  restored  to  the  favourable  regard  of  their  Country ; 
and  the  said  Robert  and  John  Murray  are  accordingly  re-- 
stored  to  all  the  civil  and  commercial  privileges  which 
they  heretofore  enjoyed  in  this  Province. 


P.  M. 

The  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  form  of 
an  Association,  which  was  reported  in  the  morning;  and, 
after  certain  amendments,  approved  the  same,  and  ordered 
it  to  be  entered,  which  is  in  the  words  following: 

We,  the  subscribers,  freeholders  and  inhabitants  of  the 
Township  of  in  the  County  of  and 

Province  of  New  Jersey,  having  long  viewed  with  con- 
cern the  avowed  design  of  the  Ministry  of  Great  Britain 
to  raise  a  revenue  in  America ;  being  deeply  affected 
with  the  cruel  hostilities  already  commenced  in  the 
Massachusetts  Bay  for  carrying  that  arbitrary  design  into 
execution  ;  convinced  that  the  preservation  of  the  rights 
and  privileges  of  America  depends,  under  God,  on  the 
firm  union  of  its  inhabitants;  do,  with  hearts  abhorring 
slavery,  and  ardently  wishing  for  a  reconciliation  with 
our  parent  state  on  constitutional  principles,  solemnly 
associate  and  resolve,  under  the  sacred  ties  of  virtue, 
honor  and  love  to  our  Countr}',  that  we  will  personally, 
and  as  far  as  our  influence  extends,  endeavour  to  support 
and  carry  into  execution  whatever  measures  may  be 
recommended  by  the  Continental  and  our  Provincial  Con- 
gress, for  defending  our  Constitution,  and  preserving  the 
same  inviolate. 

We 


177 


We  do  also  further  associate  and  agree,  as  far  as  shall 
be  consistent  with  the  measures  adopted  for  the  preserva- 
tion of  American  freedom,  to  support  the  magistrates 
and  other  civil  officers  in  the  execution  of  their  duty, 
agreeable  to  the  laws  of  this  Colony;  and  to  observe  the 
directions  of  our  Committee,  acting  according  to  the 
Resolutions  of  the  aforesaid  Continental  and  Provincial 
Congresses ;  firmly  determined,  by  all  means  in  our 
power,  to  guard  against  those  disorders  and  confusions  to 
which  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  the  times  may  ex- 
pose us. 

Resolved,  That  copies  of  the  above  Association  be  im- 
mediately sent  to  the  Committees  of  Observation  or  Cor- 
respondence in  the  several  Counties  of  this  Province, 
which  have  not  already  associated  in  a  similar  manner, 
in  order  that  the  same  may  be  signed  by  the  several 
inhabitants,  accompanied  with  the  following  letter,  to 
be  signed  by  the  President: 

Gentlemen: — Anxiously  desirous  to  promote  as  far 
possible  an  union  among  the  inhabitants  of  this  Colony, 
we  have  thought  proper  to  recommend  to  them  the  en- 
closed Association,  which  we  desire  may  be  immediately 
signed  by  the  good  people  of  your  Township,  that  at  a 
time  when  our  most  valuable  privileges  are  invaded,  we 
may  in  a  uniform  manner  make  our  defence,  and  pre- 
vent the  evils  to  which  our  unhappy  situation  exposes  us. 

Thursday,  June  1. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  the  draught  of 
an  answer  to  Pierpoint  Edwards,  Esq.,  reported  the  same  ; 
which  was  read,  approved,  and  ordered  to  be  entered  ; 
and  a  copy  thereof  to  be  delivered,  signed  by  the  Presi- 
dent; which  is  in  the  words  following: 


13 


Id 


178 


In  Provincial  Congress,  1 
New  Jersey,  June  1, 1775.  j 

Pierpoint  Edwards,  Esq.,  from  the  Colony  of  Connecti- 
cut, having  \a\d  before  this  Congress  sundry  papers  con- 
taining, among  other  things,  the  appointment  of  a  Com- 
mittee by  the  House  of  Representatives  of  said  Colony, 
for  the  purpose  of  procuring  intelligence  of  the  true  state 
of  this  Province,  giving  information  of  the  state  of  the 
said  Colony  of  Connecticut,  and  for  cultivating  harmony 
and  good  correspondence  with  this  Province ;  and  this 
Congress  having  read  and  considered  the  same,  take  this 
method  of  expressing  their  highest  satisfaction  with  the 
spirited  conduct  and  proceedings  of  the  said  Colony  of 
Connecticut ;  and  do  hereby  request  the  said  Mr.  Edwards 
to  assure  the  Honourable  House  of  Representatives  of 
that  Colony,  that  the  Province  of  New  Jersey  will  most 
heartily  co-operate  with  them  in  the  general  measures 
now  pursuing  for  the  common  defence  of  the  rights  of 
America;  and  will  with  great  pleasure  cultivate  that 
harmony  and  good  correspondence  with  our  brethren  of 
Connecticut,  which  they  so  earnestly  desire — that  this 
Congress  are  now  engaged  in  settling  a  plan  for  putting 
the  Province  in  the  best  state  of  defence  in  their  power; 
and  are  ready  to  pursue  such  other  methods  and  direc- 
tions as  shall  be  recommended  to  them  by  the  Conti- 
nental Congress,  from  whom  they  are  daily  expecting 
advice  for  this  purpose;  and  whenever  any  particular 
measure  shall  be  finally  settled  and  concluded  upon  by 
this  Province,  the  House  of  Representatives  of  Connecti- 
cut shall  have  the  earliest  intelligence. 


Friday,  June  2. 

A  letter  from  Pierpoint  Edwards,  Esq.,  requesting  copies 
of  such  of  the  Resolves  and  Proceedings  of  this  Congress 
as  respected  the  regulation  of  the  Militia,  the  raising  of 
men  and  money,  &c.,  for  the  common  defence  of  America, 
was  received  and  read ;  to  which  the  following  answer 
was  returned,  viz. : 

Sir:— 


179 

Sir: — The  Congress  received  your  polite  letter  of  tliis 
morning;  and  are  sorry  that  the  Militia  Bill  and  other 
matters  now  before  them  are  not  so  far  completed  that 
they  can  comply  with  your  request,  in  giving  you  ex- 
tracts from  them  to  take  with  you  to  the  Honourable 
House  of  Assembly  of  ihe  Colony  of  Connecticut.  You 
may,  however,  be  assured,  that  when  the  Congress  rise, 
a  copy  of  such  proceedings  as  shall  be  necessary  to  be 
communicated,  will  be  transmitted  to  the  Speaker  of 
your  Honourable  House. 

We  are,  &c. 


Saturday,  June  3,  P.  M. 

The  draught  of  a  plan  for  regulating  the  Militia  of 
this  Colony,  which  was  reported  in  the  morning,  was 
read  a  second  time;  and,  after  sundry  amendments,  was 
approved,  and  ordered  to  be  entered;  which  is  in  the 
words  following : 

The  Congress  taking  into  consideration  the  cruel  and 
arbitrary  measures  adopted  and  pursued  by  the  British 
Parliament  and  present  Ministry,  for  the  purpose  of  sub- 
jucating  the  American  Colonies  to  the  most  abject  servi- 
tude;  and,  being  apprehensive  that  all  pacific  measures 
for  the  redress  of  our  grievances  will  prove  ineffectual, 
do  think  it  highly  necessary  that  the  inhabitants  of  this 
Province  be  forthwith  properly  armed  and  disciplined, 
for  defending  the  cause  of  American  freedom.  And  fur- 
ther considering  that,  to  answer  this  desirable  end,  it  is 
requisite  that  such  persons  be  entrusted  with  the  com- 
mand of  the  Militia,  as  can  be  confided  in  by  the  people, 
and  are  truly  zealous  in  support  of  our  just  rights  and 
privileges,  do  recommend  and  advise  that  the  good 
people  of  this  Province  henceforward  strictly  observe  the 
following  rules  and  regulations,  until  this  Congress  shall 
make  further  order  therein  : 

1st  That  one  or  more  companies,  as  the  case  may  re- 
quire, be  immediately  formed  in  each  Township  or  Cor- 
poration;  and,  to  this  end,  that  the  several  Committees 
in  this  Province  do,  as  soon  as  may  be,  acquaint  them- 
selves 

• 


180 


selves  with  the  number  of  male  inhabitants  in  their  re- 
spective districts,  from  the  age  of  sixteen  to  fifty,  who  are 
capable  of  bearing  arms;  and  thereupon  form  them  into 
companies,  consisting  as  near  as  may  be  of  eighty  men 
each  ;  which  companies  so  formed  shall,  each  by  itself, 
assemble  and  choose,  by  plurality  of  voices,  four  persons 
from  among  themselves  of  sufficient  substance  and  capa- 
city for  its  officers,  namely,  one  captain,  two  lieutenants 
and  an  ensign. 

2d.  That  the  officers  so  chosen  appoint  for  their  re- 
spective companies  fit  persons  to  be  sergeants,  corporals 
and  drummers. 

3d.  That  as  soon  as  the  companies  are  so  formed,  the 
officers  of  such  a  number  of  companies  as  shall  by  them 
be  judged  proper  to  form  a  regiment,  do  assemble  and 
choose  one  colonel,  one  lieutenant-colonel,  a  major  and 
an  adjutant,  for  each  regiment. 

4th.  That  each  captain,  as  soon  as  elected,  furnish 
himself  with  a  muster-roll,  after  the  form  following,  to  be 
signed  by  every  person  under  his  command,  viz  : 

We,  the  subscribers,  do  voluntarily  enlist  ourselves  in 
the  company  of  in  the  township  of 

in  the  county  of  under  the  command  of  colonel 

(if  a  colonel  shall  be  chosen  at  the  time  of  sub- 
scribing) and  do  promise  to  obey  our  officers  in  such  ser- 
vice as  they  shall  appoint  us,  agreeable  to  the  rules  and 
orders  of  the  Provincial  Congress.  Witness  our  hands,  &c. 

5th.  That  the  persons  so  enlisted  meet  under  the  direc- 
tion of  their  officers  in  such  manner,  and  at  such  times 
and  places,  as  shall  by  them  be  judged  necessary  for 
their  improvement  in  military  discipline;  and  that  each 
whole  company  do  assemble  at  least  once  a  month  for 
the  same  purpose;  and  that  a  general  muster  or  review 
of  the  whole  regiment  be  had  as  often,  and  at  such  times, 
as  the  field  officers  shall  appoint. 

6th.  That  each  person  enlisted  be  equipped  as  soon  as 
possible  with  arms  and  ammunition,  in  such  manner  as 
by  the  field  officers  of  such  regiment  shall  be  directed. 

7th.  That  due  obedience  be  paid  to  the  officers,  and 
strict  attention  observed  in  learning  the  military  exer- 
cise. 

8  th 


181 


8th.  That  where  companies  and  regiments  are  already 
formed,  and  officers  chosen  and  appointed,  the  same  be 
continued;  provided,  that  they  do  adopt  such  further 
rules  and  orders  respecting  the  signing  of  a  muster-roll, 
days  of  meeting  and  reviews,  as  are  hereinbefore  con- 
tained :  and  that  where  part  only  of  the  officers  are 
already  appointed  and  chosen,  they  do  proceed  to  elect 
such  other  officers  as  remain  yet  to  be  chosen,  in  con- 
formity to  the  rules  herein  contained. 

The  Congress  taking  into  consideration  the  spirited 
exertions  of  the  Counties  of  Morris,  Sussex  and  Somerset, 
in  raising  of  minute-men,  do  approve  of,  and  thank  them 
for  their  zeal  in  the  common  cause;  and  will  take  the 
same  into  further  consideration  at  their  next  meeting. 

The  draught  of  an  ordinance  for  raising  a  sum  of 
money  for  the  purpose  therein  mentioned,  after  sundry 
amendments  was  approved,  and  ordered  to  be  entered,  in 
the  words  following: 

Whereas,  it  has  become  absolutely  necessary  in  the 
present  dangerous  and  extraordinary  state  of  public 
aflfairs,  in  which  the  usual  resources  of  government 
appear  to  be  insufficient  for  the  safety  of  the  people,  and 
in  whicli  the  good  people  of  this  Province  have  tlieretore 
thought  proper  to  choose  Deputies  in  this  present  Congress, 
that  a  fund  be  provided  for  the  use  of  the  Province  ;  We, 
the  said  Deputies,  being  persuaded  that  every  inhabitant 
is  willing  and  desirous  to  contribute  his  proportion  of 
money  for  so  important  a  purpose,  do,  pursuant  to  the 
powers  entrusted  to  us  by  the  people,  resolve  and  direct, 
that  the  sum  of  Ten  Thousand  Pounds,  Proclamation 
Money,  be  immediately  apportioned  and  raised  for  tlie 
use  aforesaid  ;  the  same  to  be  apportioned,  laid  out  and 
disposed  of,  in  such  manner  as  herinafter  is  directed. 

2.  And  it  is  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  part  and 
proportion  of  the  said  sum  to  be  raised  in  the  County  of 
Bergen  be  six  hundred  and  sixty-four  Pounds  eiglit 
Shillings;  and  that  the  part  and  proportion  of  Essex  be 
seven  hundred  and  forty-two  Pounds  eighteen  Shil- 
lings ; 


182 


litisjs ;  and  that  the  part  and  proportion  of  Middlesex  be 
eight  hundred  and  seventy-two  Pounds  six  Shillings  and 
eiiiht-pence;  and  that  the  part  or  proportion  of  Somerset 
be  nine  hundred  and  four  Pounds  two  Shillings;  and 
that  the  part  or  proportion  of  Monmouth  be  one  thousand 
and  sixty-nine  Pounds  two  Shillings  and  eight-pence; 
and  that  the  part  or  proportion  of  Morris  be  seven  hundred 
and  twenty-three  Pounds  eight  Shillings;  and  that  the  part 
or  proportion  of  Sussex  be  five  hundred  and  nine-three 
Pounds  five  Shillings  and  four-pence  ;  and  that  the  part 
or  proportion  of  Hunterdon  be  one  thousand  three  hun- 
dred and  sixty-three  Pounds  sixteen  Shillings  and  eight- 
pence  ;  and  that  the  part  or  proportion  of  Burlington  be 
one  thousand  and  seventy-one  Pounds  thirteen  Shillings 
and  four  pence;  and  that  the  part  or  proportion  of  Glou- 
cester be  seven  hundred  and  sixty-three  Pounds  two 
Shillings  and  eighi-pence;  and  that  the  part  or  propor- 
tion of  Salem  be  six  hundred  and  seventy-nine  Pounds 
twelve  Shillings ;  and  that  the  part  or  proportion  of  Cum- 
berland be  three  hundred  and  eighty-five  Pounds  six 
Shillings  and  eight-pence;  and  that  the  part  or  propor- 
tion of  Cape  May  be  one  hundred  and  sixty-six  Pounds 
eighteen  Shillings. 

3.  And,  ia  order  that  the  said  sum  may  be  duly 
raised, 

It  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  same  be  ap- 
portioned by  persons  hereafter  to  be  appointed  by  the 
Committees  of  the  several  Townships  in  this  Colony  ;  in 
which  apportionment  all  certainties  shall  be  rated  one- 
fifth  less  than  the  sums  they  are  respectively  directed  to 
be  rated  at  by  the  fourth  section  of  an  Act  of  General 
Assembly  of  this  Colony,  made  and  passed  in  the  tenth 
year  of  the  reign  of  his  present  Majesty,  entitled,  An  Act 
to  settle  the  quotas  of  the  several  Counties  in  this  Colony 
for  the  levying  taxes;  and  that  all  lands,  horses,  cattle 
and  other  taxables  be  valued  as  in  the  above-mentioned 
Act  is  directed.  Which  said  appointment  shall  be  made 
and  delivered  to  the  persons  to  be  appointed  by  the  sev- 
eral Committees  in  each  Township,  at  or  before  the  first 
day  of  August  next  ensuing. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  persons 

who 


183 


who  shall  be  appointed  for  apportioning  the  same  as 
aforesaid,  in  the  several  Townships  of  each  County,  to 
that  end,  do  meet  together  on  the  first  Monday  in  July 
next,  at  such  place  as  by  the  laws  of  this  Colony  have 
been  appointed  for  the  Assessors  to  meet  in  for  the  like 
purpose;  and  then  and  there  settle  and  divide  to  each 
Township  within  their  County  its  quota  of  the  sum 
hereinbefore  directed  to  be  raised  in  the  County. 

4.  And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the 
several  Committees  in  each  Township  of  the  Colony  shall 
appoint  fit  persons  to  collect  the  same,  who  upon  receiv- 
ing the  said  apportionment,  shall  immediately  collect 
and  pay  the  same  to  such  person  or  persons  as  the  seve- 
ral Committees  in  each  County  may  hereafter  appoint; 
or,  where  there  is  no  County  Committee,  to  such  person 
or  persons  as  the  several  Township  Committees  shall 
jointly  appoint. 

5.  And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That,  after  the 
part  or  proportion  of  each  County  shall  have  been  ap- 
portioned and  received  by  the  County  Collector,  he  shall 
and  do  pay  the  same,  or  any  part  or  parts  thereof,  to  the 
County  Committee,  or  to  their  order,  signed  by  their 
Chairman,  by  their  vote,  the  same  to  be  disposed  of  by 
them  in  such  manner  as  they  in  their  discretion  shall 
think  most  proper  to  answer  the  said  exigencies. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Fisher,  Mr  Tucker,  Mr.  Daniel 
Hunt,  Mr.  Frelinghuysen,  Mr.  I.  Pearson,  Mr.  Dunham, 
Mr.  Schurman,  Mr.  John  Hart,  Mr.  Borden,  Mr.  Deare, 
Mr.  Bald  win,  Mr.  Schenck,  Mr.  Ralph  Hart  and  Mr. 
Heard,  or  any  three  of  them,  in  conjunction  with  the 
President  or  Vice  President,  be  a  Committee  of  Corres- 
pondence, with  power  to  convene  this  Congress. 

LIST  OF  THE    DEPUTIES  WHO  ATTENDED    THE  SESSION  IN 
THE  MONTH  OF  AUGUST. 

Bergen — John  Fell,  John  Demarest,  Hendrick  Kuy- 
per,  Abraham  Van  Buskirk,  Edo  Merselius. 

Essex — Henry  Garritse,  Michael  Vreeland,  Robert 
Drummond,  John  Chetwood,  Elias  Boudinot,  Isaac  Ogden, 
Philip  Van  Cortlandt,  Bethuel  Peirson,  Caleb  Camp. 

Middlesex — 


184 


Middlesex — Nathaniel  Heard,  William  Smith,  John 
Dunn,  John  Lloyd,  Azariah  Dunham,  John  Schurman, 
John  Wetherill,  Lucas  Schenck,  Jonathan  Sergeant, 
Jonathan  Baldwin,  Jonathan  Deare. 

Morris — William  Winds,  William  De  Hart,  Jonathan 
Stiles,  David  Thompson,  Jacob  Drake,  Ellis  Cook,  Silas 
Condit. 

Somerset — Hendrick  Fisher,  Peter  Schenck,  Abraham 
Van  Neste,  Enos  Kelsey,  Jonathan  D.  Sergeant,  Fred- 
erick Frelin^huysen,  William  Paterson,  Nathaniel  Eyers. 

Sussex — Edward  Dumont,  William  Maxwell,  John  B. 
Scott,  Hugh  Hughs,  Mark  Thomson,  William  Norcross. 

Monmouth — Edward  Taylor,  Robert  Montgomery,  John 
Holmes,  John  Covenhoven,  Daniel  Hendrickson. 

Hunterdon — Samuel  Tucker,  John  Mehelm,  John  Hart, 
Ralph  Hart,  John  Stout,  Jasper  Smith,  Thomas  Lowry, 
Charles  Stewart,  Daniel  Hunt,  Richard  Stevens,  John 
Stevens,  junior,  Thomas  Stout,  Thomas  Jones,  Abraham 
Bonnell,  Joseph  Beavers. 

Burlington — Joseph  Bordon,  Isaac  Pearson,  Colin  Camp- 
bell, John  Pope. 

Gloucester — John  Sparks,  Joseph  Hugg,  Joseph  Ellis, 
Elijah  Clark. 

Cumberland — Samuel  Fithian,  Jonathan  Elmer, 
Thomas  Ewing. 

Salem — Jacob  Scoggin,  James  James,  John  Holmes, 
Benjamin  Holmes,  Ephraim  Lloyd. 

Cape  May — Elijah  Hughs. 


In  Congress,  August  5,  1775. 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  several  persons  appointed  in  pur- 
suance of  the  ordinance  of  this  Congress  in  their  last  ses- 
sion, to  collect  the  quotas  of  the  several  Townships,  do 
pay  the  money  by  them  collected  to  the  County  Collector 
on  or  before  the  tenth  day  of  September  next ;  and  if  any 
persons  within  their  respective  districts  shall  huve  refused 
payment,  that,  in  such  case,  they  do  make  and  deliver  in 
a  list  of  the  names  of  the  delinquents  to  their  several 
Committees,  together  with  their  receipts  and  vouchers 

for 


185 


for  the  money,  which  they  shall  have  paid  to  the  afore- 
said County  Collectors. 

^.  Resolved,  That  the  several  Committees  do  furnish  the 
Provincial  Congress  at  their  next  session  with  the  names 
of  all  such  persons  within  their  districts  as  shall  have 
refused  to  sign  the  Association  recommended  in  the  last 
Congress,  or  one  of  a  similar  nature  ;  and  of  all  such  as 
shall  have  refused  to  pay  their  respective  apportion- 
ments. 

0.  Resolved,  That  the  respective  Committees  in  this  Col- 
ony do  return  to  the  Provincial  Congress  at  their  next 
session  copies  of  the  several  Associations  signed  in  their 
districts,  agreeable  to  the  former  order  of  this  Congress, 
together  with  the  names  of  those  who  have  signed  the 
same. 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  Assessors  and  Collectors,  appointed 
to  apportion  and  collect  the  said  money,  do  receive  such 
reward  for  their  labour  and  trouble  therein,  as  the  Asses- 
sors and  Collectors  are  by  law  entitled  to,  for  assessing 
and  collecting  the  provincial  taxes. 

5.  Resolved,  That  in  case  any  part  of  the  sum  of  ten 
thousand  Pounds,  by  the  said  ordinance  directed  to  be 
raised,  shall,  from  the  event  of  public  affairs,  be  found  to 
be  unnecessary  for  the  purposes  thereby  intended  ;  in 
such  case  the  surplus  be  paid  by  the  several  County 
Committees  into  the  hands  of  the  County  Collectors  ap- 
pointed by  act  of  Assembly,  to  be  by  them  applied 
towards  discharging  the  quotas  of  such  Counties  in  the 
public  taxes  of  the  Province. 

6.  Resolved,  That  the  several  Committees,  to  whom  the 
disposal  of  the  said  money  was,  by  the  ordinance  of  the 
last  session,  entrusted,  do  account  to  the  Provincial  Con- 
gress for  their  several  disbursements,  and  the  uses  to 
which  they  may  have  been  applied. 

Saturday,  August  12. 

Whereas,  it  is  highly  expedient  at  a  time  when  this 
Province  is  likely  to  be  involved  in  all  the  horrors  of  a 
civil  war,  and  when  it  has  become  absolutely  necessary 

to 


186 


to  increase  the  burthen  of  taxes  already  laid  upon  the 
good  people  of  this  Colony  for  the  just  defence  of  their 
invaluable  rights  and  privileges,  that  the  inhabitants 
thereof  should  have  frequent  opportunities  of  renewing 
their  choice  and  approbation  of  the  Representatives  in 
Provincial  Congress — It  is  therefore  resolved,  that  the 
inhabitants  in  each  County,  qualified  to  vote  for  Repre- 
sentatives in  General  Assembly,  do  meet,  together  at  the 
places  herein  after  mentioned,  on  Thursday  the  twenty- 
first  day  of  September  next,  and  then  and  there,  by  plu- 
rality of  voices,  elect  and  appoint  any  number  not  exceed- 
ing five  substantial  freeholders  as  Deputies,  with  full 
power  to  represent  such  County  in  Provincial  Congress 
to  be  held  at  Trenton,  in  the  County  of  Hunterdon,  on 
Tuesday,  the  third  day  of  October  next :  And  that  the 
places  of  meeting  for  the  election  in  each  County  shall 
be,  for  the  County  of  Bergen  at  the  Court  House  in  New 
Barbados.  County  of  Essex  at  the  Court  House  in  New- 
ark. County  of  Middlesex  at  the  Court  House  in  New 
Brunswick.  County  of  Somerset  at  the  Court  House  in 
Hillsborough.  County  of  Morris  at  the  Court  House  in 
Morris  town.  County  of  Monmouth  at  the  Court  House 
in  Freehold.  County  of  Hunterdon  at  the  house  of  John 
Ringo  in  Amwell.  County  of  Sussex  at  the  Court  House 
in  Newtown.  County  of  Burlington  at  the  Court  House  in 
the  city  of  Burlington.  County  of  Gloucester  at  the  Court 
House  in  the  town  of  Gloucester.  County  of  Salem  at  the 
Court  House  in  the  town  of  Salem.  County  of  Cumber- 
land at  the  Court  House  in  Bridgetown  County  of  Cape 
May  at  the  Court  House  in  Middle  Precinct. 

And  that  the  Deputies  so  elected  shall  receive  a  certifi- 
cate of  their  election  in  the  words  following,  to  wit : 

We  do  hereby  certify,  that  on  the  day  of  the  date 
hereof.  A,  B,  C,  &c.,  were  duly  elected  Deputies  for  the 
County  of  in  the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  with 

full  power  to  represent  the  said  County  in  Provincial 
Congress,  to  be  held  at  Trenton,  in  the  County  of  Hunter- 
don, on  the  third  day  of  October  next,  as  witness  our 
hands  and  seals  this  day  of  A.  D.  1775. 

Which  certificate  under  the  hands  and  seals  of  the 

President 


187 


President  or  Cliairinan  chosen  to  preside  at  such  elec- 
tion, together  with  five  or  more  Freeholders  of  the  said 
County,  shall  be  sufficient  evidence  of  such  election. 

Resolved,  That  during  the  continuance  of  the  present 
unhappy  disputes  between  Great  Britain  and  America, 
there  be  a  new  choice  of  Deputies  in  every  County  of  this 
Province  yearly,  on  the  third  Thursday  in  September. 

Resolved,  That  on  the  said  third  Thursday  of  Septem- 
ber in  every  year  the  inhabitants  in  each  County,  quali- 
fied as  aforesaid,  do  elect,  by  plurality  of  voices,  a  suffi- 
cient number  of  Freeholders  to  constitute  a  County  Com- 
mittee of  Observation  and  Correspondence,  with  full 
power,  as  well  to  superintend  and  direct  the  necessary 
business  of  the  County,  as  to  carry  into  execution  the 
Resolutions  and  Orders  of  the  Continental  and  Provin- 
cial Congresses. 

Resolved,  That  the  inhabitants  of  each  Township,  quali- 
fied as  aforesaid,  do  immediately  choose  (where  it  is  not 
already  done)  a  sufficient  number  of  Freeholders  to  consti- 
tute a  Township  Committee  :  and  that  on  the  second  Tues- 
day in  March,  in  every  year  hereafter,  they  do  proceed 
anew  in  like  manner  to  choose  such  a  number  of  Freehold- 
ers as  shall  be  thought  necessary  to  constitute  Committees 
to  act  as  Committees  of  Observation  and  Correspondence 
ill  each  Township,  with  power  to  transact  the  business  re- 
ferred to  them  by  the  Continental  and  Provincial  Con- 
gresses, and  the  County  Committees. 


Wednesday,  August  16. 

The  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  plan 
for  further  regulating  the  Militia,  &c.,  which,  after  cer- 
tain amendments,  was  approved,  and  is  in  the  words  fol- 
lowing, viz. : 

The  Congress  taking  into  further  consideration  the 
state  of  the  Militia  in  this  Province, 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  several  County,  or  (where  there  is 
no  County)  the  Township  Committees,  do  transmit  the 

names 


188 


names  of  all  the  Militia  Officers,  chosen  within  their  re- 
spective Districts,  to  the  Provincial  Congress,  or  to  the 
Committee  of  Safety,  to  be  by  them  commissioned,  agree- 
able to  the  directions  of  the  Continental  Congress. 

Resolved,  2.  That  all  Officers  above  the  rank  of  a  Cap- 
tain, not  already  chosen  or  appointed  pursuant  to  an 
ordinance  of  this  Congress  made  at  their  last  session,  be 
appointed  by  the  Congress,  or,  during  their  recess,  by  the 
Committee  of  Safety. 

Resolved,  3.  That  where  the  inhabitants  of  different 
Townships  have  been  embodied  into  one  Company,  Bat- 
talion or  Regiment,  before  the  20th  day  of  June  last,  it  is 
not  the  intention  of  this  Congress  they  should  be  dis- 
solved, provided  they  govern  themselves  according  to 
the  rules  and  directions  of  the  same. 

Resolved,  4.  That  the  Militia  of  Bergen  shall  compose 
one  Regiment;  the  Militia  of  Essex  two  Regiments,  with 
privilege  of  forming  them  into  four  Battalions;  the 
Militia  of  Middlesex  two  Regiments ;  the  Militia  of  Somer- 
set two  Regiments;  the  Militia  of  Monmouth  three  Regi- 
ments; the  Militia  of  Morris  two  Regiments  and  one 
Battalion;  the  Militia  of  Sussex  two  Regiments  and  one 
Battalion;  the  Militia  of  Hunterdon  four  Regiments;  the 
Militia  of  Burlington  two  Regiments,  and  a  Company  of 
Rangers  in  the  Township  of  Little-Egg-Harbour;  the 
Militia  of  Gloucester  three  Battalions;  the  Militia  of 
Salem  one  Regiment;  the  Militia  of  Cumberland  two 
Battalions;  and  the  Militia  of  Cape  May  one  Battalion. 

Resolved,  5.  That  this  Congress  do  recommend  to  all 
inferior  Officers  to  pay  due  obedience  to  their  superior 
Officers,  agreeable  to  the  directions  of  the  Continental 
and  Provincial  Congresses. 

Resolved,  6.  That  in  case  of  disobedience,  or  irregular 
behaviour  in  any  officer  whatever,  while  on  duty,  com- 
plaint be  made  to  the  Committee  of  the  County  to  which 
he  belongs ;  the  majority  of  whom  shall,  as  soon  as  con- 
venient, make  strict  enquiry  into  the  same;  and,  if  they 
think  proper,  may  suspend  the  officer  so  offending,  and 
report  their  proceedings,  together  with  the  charge  and 
evidence,  to  tiie  Committee  of  Safety,  or  to  the  next  Pro- 
vincial Congress;  who  shall  take  such  order  therein  as 
to  them  shall  appear  to  be  just  and  reasonable. 

Resolved, 


189 


Resolved,  7.  That  all  effective  men,  between  the  ages  of 
IG  and  no,  who  shall  refuse  to  enroll  themselves  and  bear 
arms,  shall  pay  into  the  hands  of  the  Township  Commit- 
tees, where  they  reside,  four  Shillings  Proclamation 
Money  per  month,  as  an  equivalent  for  their  personal 
service. 

Resolved,  8.  That  in  case  any  person  shall  refuse  paying 
the  same,  the  Committee  shall  return  his  name  to  the 
Provincial  Congress,  or  to  the  Committee  of  Safety,  to  be 
dealt  with  as  they  shall  direct. 

Resolved,  9.  That  every  person  who  hath  signed  or  shall 
sign  the  muster-roll,  and  neglects  to  attend  on  the  day  of 
mustering,  shall  pay  two  Shillings  Proclamation  for  every 
mustering  day  he  is  absent,  unless  he  can  give  a  sufficient 
reason  for  his  absence,  to  be  judged  of  by  his  Captain,  who 
is  hereby  required  to  demand  the  same;  and  if  the  delin- 
quent refuse  payment,  then  the  Captain  shall  return  his 
name  to  the  Township  Committee,  to  be  by  them  reported 
to  the  next  Congress,  provided  that  no  more  than  two 
fines  in  a  month  be  imposed  on  any  one  person. 

Resolved,  10.  That  the  monies  received  by  the  Commit- 
tees and  Captains,  from  persons  who  do  not  bear  arms,  nor 
attend  tlieir  duty  upon  mustering  days,  shall  be  by  them 
jointly  applied  towards  defraying  the  expence  attending 
the  instruction  and  equipment  of  the  Companies  in  their 
respective  districts — the  fines  of  persons  under  age  to  be 
paid  by  their  parents,  and  of  apprentices  by  their  mas- 
ters. 

Resolved,  11.  That  each  private  soldier  be  furnished 
with  good  arms,  powder  and  ball,  as  near  as  may  be, 
agreeable  to  the  requisitions  of  the  Continental  Congress. 

Resolved,  12.  That  where  arras  may  be  wanting  by 
such  efTective  men  as  shall  be  unable  to  procure  them, 
the  Captain  of  the  Company  to  which  such  person  be- 
long shall  make  application  to  the  Committee  of  the 
County  or  Township,  who  shall  supply  them,  on  receiv- 
ing security  for  their  proper  application,  provided  any 
arms  shall  remain  in  their  hands,  after  first  supplying 
such  of  the  minute-men,  hereafter  directed  to  be  enrolled, 
as  may  be  unable  to  furnish  themselves  with  the  same. 

Resolved,  13.  That  the  preceudency  of  rank  in  the  Mili- 
tia 


190 


tia  shall  take  place  in  the  followinoj  order:  1,  Essex  ;  2, 
Salem  ;  3,  Gloucester ;  4,  Morris ;  5,  Sussex  ;  6,  Cape  May  ; 
7,  Monmouth  ;  8,  Somerset;  9,  Bergen  ;  10,  Cumberland  ; 
11,  Middlesex  ;  12,  Hunterdon  ;  13,  Burlington  ;  and  that, 
where  there  may  be  more  than  one  Regiment  or  Battalion 
in  a  County,  the  precedency  shall  be  determined  by  the 
County  Committee,  according  to  their  former  seniority. 

Resolved,  14.  That  for  the  purpose  of  effectually  carrying 
into  execution  the  recommendation  of  the  Continental 
Congress,  respecting  the  appointment  of  minute-men, 
four  thousand  able-bodied  effective  men  be  enlisted  and 
enrolled  in  the  several  Counties  in  this  Province,  under 
officers  to  be  appointed  and  commissioned  by  this  Con- 
gress, or  Committee  of  Safety,  who  shall  hold  themselves 
in  constant  readiness,  on  the  shortest  notice,  to  march  to 
any  place  where  their  assistance  may  be  required,  for 
the  defence  of  this  or  any  neighbouring  Colony. 

Resolved,  15.  That  the  several  Counties  in  this  Province 
shall  furnish  minute-men  in  the  proportions  following, 
viz : 

County  of  Bergen,  4  Companies  of  64  men  each,  officers 

included. 

Essex.  6  companies,  do. 

Middlesex,  6  companies,  do. 

Monmouth,  6  companies,  do. 

Somerset,  5  companies,  do. 

Morris,  fi  companies,  do. 

Sussex,  5  companies,  do. 

Hunterdon,  8  companies,  do. 

Burlington,  5  companies,  do.  . 

Gloucester,  4  companies,  do. 

Salem,  3  companies,  do. 

Cumberland,  3  companies,  do. 

Cape  May,  1  company,  do. 

Resolved,  16.  That  the  said  minute-men,  upon  their  en- 
listment, shall  sign  a  muster-roll  in  the  words  following  : 
We,  the  subscribers,  do  vcfluntarily  enlist  ourselves  as 
rainute-men,  in  the  company  of  in 
the  County  of  And  do  promise  to  hold  ourselves 

in  constant  readiness,  on  the  shortest  notice,  to  march  to 
any  place  where  our  assistance  may  be  required,  for  the 

defence 


191 


defence  of  this  or  any  neighbouring  Colony;  as  also  to 
pay  due  obedience  to  the  commands  of  our  Officers,  agree- 
able to  the  rules  and  orders  of  the  Continental  Congress, 
or  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New  Jersey,  or.  during 
its  recess,  of  the  Committee  of  Safety.  As  witness  our 
hands,  &c. 

Resolved,  17.  That  the  several  County  Committees  of 
this  Province,  or,  where  there  are  no  County  Committees, 
the  Township  Committees  jointly,  do  forthwith  nominate 
officers  for  the  several  companies  of  minute-men  in  each 
county,  with  assurance,  that  as  soon  as  their  companies 
are  completed,  they  shall  receive  commissions  from  the 
Provincial  Congress,  or  the  Committee  of  Safety. 

Resolved,  18.  That  the  minute-men  be  formed  into  ten 
battalions;  one  in  Bergen,  one  in  Essex,  one  in  Middle- 
sex, one  in  Monmouth,  one  in  Somerset,  one  in  Morris, 
one  in  Sussex,  one  in  Hunterdon,  one  in  Burlington,  one 
in  Gloucester  and  Salem  ;  and  that  the  companies  in  Cum- 
berland and  Cape  May  be  independent  companies  of  light 
infantry  and  rangers. 

Resolved,  19.  That  wherever  the  whole  or  the  greater 
part  of  a  Militia  company  shall  offer  their  services  as 
minute-men,  they  may  be  commanded  by  the  officers 
already  appointed  and  chosen  by  them. 

Resolved,  20.  That  whenever  any  of  the  said  minute- 
men  shall  be  called  into  actual  service,  they  shall  receive 
the  like  pay  as  the  Continental  Army ;  and  be  furnished 
with  camp  equipage  and  provisions ;  and  also  be  pro- 
vided for,  if  wounded  and  disabled  in  the  service  of  their 
Country. 

Resolved,  21.  That  the  several  Battalions  and  Companies 
of  minute-men  raised  as  aforesaid,  while  remaining  in 
this  particular  service,  shall  have  precedency  of  rank  of 
the  common  Militia  of  the  Province. 

Resolved,  22.  That  the  minute-men  raised  as  aforesaid 
shall  continue  in  service  for  the  space  of  four  months, 
when  such  of  them  as  require  it,  shall  be  relieved,  unless 
upon  actual  service. 

Resolved,  23.  That  the  precedency  of  rank,  among  Hie 
several  Battalions  and  Companies  of  said  minute-men, 

shall 


192 


shall  be  settled  from  priority  in  the  dates  of  their  respec- 
tive commissions. 

Resolved,  24.  That  two  Brigadier  Generals  be  appointed 
for  this  Province,  and  that  be  the 

first,  and  Pliilemon  Dickerson,  Esq.,  be  the  second  Brig- 
adier General  of  the  said  Province. 

It  being  suggested,  that  divers  persons  in  the  Province, 
are  attempting  to  raise  Companies  of  light  infantry,  which 
may  have  a  tendency  to  break  other  Companies  that  have 
been  formed  by  committees,  pursuant  to  the  former 
militia  ordinance  of  this  Congress  :  Resolved,  therefore, 
That  no  person  whatever  do  presume  to  raise  any  light 
infantry,  or  independent  Company,  without  the  consent 
of  the  field  officers  to  whom  they  belong,  and  the  appro- 
bation of  the  County  or  Township  Committee,  where 
there  is  no  County  Committee,  be  first  obtained ;  and 
that  all  Companies  formed  before  the  20th  day  of  June 
last  shall  remain  as  they  were  formed,  unless  on  such 
consent  and  approbation  as  aforesaid,  such  only  excepted, 
as  have  been  constituted  by  permission  from  this  Con- 
gress. 


Thursday,  August  17. 

Resolved,  That  as  there  are  a  number  of  people  within 
this  Province,  whose  peculiar  religious  principles  will 
not  allow  them  in  any  case  to  bear  arms — this  Congress 
intend  no  violence  to  conscience  ;  and  therefore  would 
earnestly  recommend  it  to  all  such  persons  to  contribute 
the  more  liberally,  in  these  times  of  universal  calamity, 
to  the  relief  of  their  distressed  brethren  in  the  several 
Colonies;  and  to  do  all  other  services  to  their  oppressed 
Country,  consistent  with  their  religious  profession. 

Resolved,  That  before  any  person  shall  receive  a  mili- 
tary commission,  agreeable  to  the  Militia  ordinance  of 
this  Congress,  he  shall  sign  the  Association  formed  and 
recommended  by  the  same ;  and,  if  he  hold  a  commission 
under  the  late  Militia  Act  of  Assembly,  that  he  first  re- 
sign such  commission  to  the  Governor  of  this  Province. 

Resolved,  That  Jonathan  D.  Sergeant,  Esq.,  be,  and  he 

is 


193 


is  hereby  appointed  Provincial  Treasurer  to  this  Con- 
gress; and  it  is  ordered,  that  the  balance  of  monies  in 
his  hands,  which  he  received  towards  paying  the  ex- 
penses of  the  Delegates  of  this  Colony  in  the  Continental 
Congress,  together  with  such  as  may  hereafter  come  into 
his  hands,  be  applied  to  such  uses  as  shall  be  directed  by 
this  Congress,  or  during  its  recess  by  the  Committee  of 
Safety.  And  that  he  do  immediately  call  in  the  several 
sums  yet  due  from  any  of  the  Counties;  and  in  case  of 
further  neglect  in  them  to  discharge  the  same,  that  the 
said  Treasurer  do  make  report  thereof  to  the  next  Pro- 
vincial Congress. 

The  Congress  taking  into  consideration  the  remon- 
strance from  the  County  Committee  of  Sussex,  relative  to 
the  raising  the  prices  of  shop  goods  within  the  said 
County,  occasioned  by  the  advanced  price  in  New  York 
and  Philadelphia,  do  resolve  that  the  said  Committee  are 
the  proper  persons  to  enquire  into  the  complaint  men- 
tioned in  the  said  remonstrance ;  and  if,  on  examination, 
they  find  it  to  be  well  founded,  do  then  recommend  that 
the  said  Committee  make  application  to  the  Committees 
of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  and  represent  the  con- 
duct of  such  traders  in  the  said  Provinces  as  shall  appear 
to  them  to  be  culpable. 

Ordered,  That  the  several  Couny  Committees  do 
appoint  one  Surgeon  to  each  Regiment  and  Battalion 
belonging  to  their  respective  Counties;  and  certify  the 
name  of  such  Surgeon  to  the  next  Congress,  or  to  the 
Committee  of  Safety,  in  order  to  his  being  properly  com- 
missioned. 

Resolved,  That  this  Congress  do  recommend  to  the 
several  County  Committees  in  this  Colony,  that  they  im- 
mediately employ  gun-smiths  to  make  such  a  number  of 
arms  as  they  shall  judge  to  be  necessary  and  wanting  in 
their  respective  Counties ;  and  that,  in  the  manufactory 
of  the  said  arms,  particular  attention  be  paid  to  the  di- 
rections of  the  Continental  Congress. 

Ordered, 

14 


194 


Ordered,  That  Hendrick  Fisher,  Samuel  Tucker,  Isaac 
Pearson,  John  Hart,  Jonathan  D.  Sergeant,  Azariah  Dun- 
ham, Peter  Schenck,  Enos  Kelsey,  Joseph  Borden,  Fred- 
erick Frelinghuysen  and  John  Schurman,  be  a  Commit- 
tee of  Safety  during  the  recess  of  this  Congress. 

The  Congress  adjourned  to  the  20th  day  of  September 
next,  unless  sooner  convened  by  the  Committee  of  Safety. 


Extracts 


Extracts 


From  the  Journal  of  Proceedings  of  the  Commit- 
tee OF  Safety  of  New  Jersey,  Held  at  Prince- 
ton IN  THE  Months  of  August  and  September, 

1775. 


Committee  of  Safety. 

Wednesday,  August  30. 

The  Committee  of  Safety  taking  into  consideration  the 
condition  of  several  Companies  in  this  Province,  where 
vacanies  have  happened  in  consequence  of  the  promotion 
of  the  Captain  or  other  officers,  are  of  opinion,  that, 
according  to  the  rules  and  orders  of  the  Continental  and 
Provincial  Congresses,  such  vacancy  is  to  be  filled  up  by 
the  choice  of  a  new  officer  in  the  usual  manner  of  elec- 
tion ;  but  that  no  person  can  be  turned  out  of  office  by 
his  Company,  without  his  consent  being  first  obtained. 


Thursday,  August  31. 

"Whereas,  the  public  roads  of  this  Province  are  ob- 
served to  abound  with  strollers  and  vagabonds,  and 
many  servants  have  run  away  from  their  masters,  and 
horse  stealing  and  other  robberies  are  become  very  fre- 
quent, therefore  it  is 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  good  people 
of  this  Province,  that  they  do  strictly  examine  all  suspi- 
cious persons  passing  to  and  fro  through  the  different 
parts  thereof;  and  if.  upon  such  examination,  they  do 

not 


196 


not  give  a  satisfactory  account  of  themselves,  they  do 
proceed  to  deal  with  them  according  to  the  laws  of  this 
Province. 

Resolved,  That  the  several  officers  and  privates  who 
embody  themselves  as  minute-men  in  this  Province  be, 
and  they  hereby  are  directed,  for  the  sake  of  distinction 
and  convenience,  to  adopt  as  their  uniform  hunting 
frocks,  as  near  as  may  be,  similar  to  those  of  the  riflemen 
now  in  the  Continental  service. 

Ordered,  That  this  Committee  be  adjourned  to  Wed- 
nesday, the  13th  day  of  September  next,  to  meet  at 
Princeton,  unless  sooner  convened  by  the  President  or 
Vice  President. 


Wednesday,  September  13. 
The  Committee  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Thursday,  September  14. 

Ordered,  That  Joseph  Borden  and  Enos  Kelsey  be  a 
Committee  to  employ  Isaac  Collins  to  print  the  Minutes 
of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New  Jersey;  as  also  such 
Proceedings  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  as  to  them  may 
appear  necessary. 

Journal 


Journal 

Of  the  Votes  and  Proceedings  of  the  Provin- 
cial Congress  of  New  Jersey,  Held  at  Tren- 
ton, IN  the  Month  of  October,  1775. 


Provincial  Congress. 

A  LIST  OP  THE  DEPUTIES  WHO  ATTENDED  THIS  CONGRESS. 

Bergen — John  Demarest,  Jacobus  Post. 

Essex — Abraham  Clark,  Lewis  Ogden,  Samuel  Potter. 
Caleb  Camp,  Robert  Druramond. 

Middlesex — Azariah  Dunham,  John  Dennis. 

Morris — William  Winds,  William  De  Hart,  Jacob 
Drake,  Silas  Condit,  Ellis  Cook. 

Somerset — Hendrick  Fisher,  Cornelius  Van  Muliner, 
Ruloffe  Van  Dyke. 

Sussex — William  Maxwell,  Ephraim  Martin,  Thomas 
Potts,  Abia  Brown,  Mark  Thompson. 

Monmouth — Edward  Taylor,  .John  Covenhoven,  Joseph 
Holmes. 

Hunterdon — Samuel  Tucker,  John  Mehelm,  John 
Hart,  Charles  Stewart,  Augustine  Stevenson. 

Burlington — Isaac  Pearson,  John  Pope,  Samuel  How, 
John  Wood,  Joseph  Newbold. 

Gloucester — John  Cooper,  Joseph  Ellis,  Thomas  Clark, 
Elijah  Clark,  Richard  Somers. 

Salem — John  Holme,  Edward  Keasby,  Benjamin 
Holme,  John  Carey. 

Cumberland— Theophilus  Elmer,  Jonathan  Ayars. 

Cape  May — Jesse  Hand. 

Tuesday, 


198 


Tuesday,  October  3,  1775. 

Several  of  the  Deputies  returned  to  serve  in  this  Con- 
gress f'lr  the  respective  Counties  of  this  Colony,  assembled 
at  Trenton,  pursuant  to  the  appointment  of  the  late  Pro- 
vincial Congress. 


Wednesday,  October  4,  1775. 

The  Congress  again  assembled,  and  several  other  mem- 
bers attending,  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  President 
and  Vice  President,  when  Samuel  Tucker,  Esquire,  was 
chosen  President,  and  Hendrick  Fisher,  Esquire,  Vice 
President. 

John  Melielm,  Esquire,  at  tlie  request  of  the  Congress, 
consented  to  act  as  Secretary  until  a  Secretary  be  chosen. 
On  motion  made. 

Ordered,  That  the  President  do  wait  upon  the  ministers  . 
of  the  gospel  in  this  Town,  and,  in  the  name  of  this  Con- 
gress, request  their  alternate  attendance  and  service  every 
morning  at  nine  o'clock  during  the  session,  in  order  that 
the  business  of  the  da}'  may  be  opened  with  prayer,  in 
the  most  humble  manner  to  supplicate  Almighty  God, 
that,  out  of  his  infinite  goodness  and  mercy,  he  will  be 
pleased  to  influence  and  direct  the  Councils  of  America 
and  Great  Britain,  so  that  peace,  unanimity  and  harmony 
may  be  happily  re-established  between  both  countries 
upon  a  permanent  foundation. 

The  Congress  was  accordingly  opened  with  prayer  by 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Spencer. 

The  Congress  then  proceeded  to  examine  the  certifi- 
cates of  the  election  of  the  Deputies  for  the  several  Coun- 
ties in  this  Colony,  and  the  following  gentlemen  were 
returned  as  duly  elected,  to  wit : 

Bergen — John  Demarest,  Jacobus  Post,  Abraham  Van 
Boskirk. 

Essex — Abraham  Clark,  Lewis  Ogden,  Samuel  Potter, 
Caleb  Camp,  Robert  Drummond. 

Middlesex — John  Dennis,  Azariah  Dunham. 

Morris — 


199 


Morris — William  Winds,  William  De  Ilart,  Jacob 
Drake,  Silas  Condit,  Ellis  Cook. 

Somerset — Ilendrick  Fisher,  Cornelius  Van  Muliner, 
Ruloffe  Van  Dyke. 

Sussex — William  Maxwell,  Ephraim  Martin,  Thomas 
Potts,  Abia  Brown,  Mark  Thompson. 

Hunterdon — Samuel  Tucker,  John  Mehelm,  John 
Hart,  Charles  Stewart,  Augustine  Stevenson. 

Monmouth — Edward  Taylor,  John  Covenhoven,  Joseph 
Holmes. 

Burlington — Isaac  Pearson,  John  Pope,  Samuel  How, 
John  Wood,  Joseph  Newbold. 

Gloucester — John  Cooper,  Joseph  Ellis,  Thomas  Clark, 
Elijah  Clark,  Richard  Somers. 

Salem — Grant  Gibbon,  Benjamin  Holme,  John  Holme, 
Edward  Keasby,  John  Carey. 

Cumberland — Theophilus  Elmer,  Jonathan  Ayars. 

Cape  May — Jesse  Hand,  Elijah  Hughes. 

A  petition  from  twenty-four  inhabitants  of  the  County 
of  Monmouth,  suggesting  that  the  Deputies  returned  for 
that  County  were  not  duly  elected,  was  read  and  ordered 
a  second  reading. 

A  letter  from  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  New  York  to 
the  Committee  of  Safety  of  this  Colony,  relative  to  the 
apprehending  of  deserters  from  the  Continental  Troops ; 
was  read  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  petition  from  Daniel  Maskell  of  Cumberland  County, 
praying  that  commissions  may  issue  for  a  Company  of 
Minute-Men  in  that  County,  was  read, 

Ordered,  That  commissions  do  issue  to  th$  several  per- 
sons therein  named. 

A  letter  from  the  Committee  of  the  County  of  Morris, 
recommending  the  several  peisons  therein  named  for 
commissions  in  the  Battalion  of  Minute-Men  in  that 
County,  was  read. 

Ordered,  That  commissions  do  issue  accordingly. 

Mr.  President  laid  before  the  Congress  a  letter  from 
the  Earl  of  Stirling,  inclosing  copies  of  some  letters  lately 
written  by  his  Lordship  on  the  subject  of  his  having  re- 
ceived a  commission  of  Colonel  of  a  Regiment  of  Militia, 
together  with  the  return  of  his  Regiment. 

Ordered, 


200 


Ordered,  That  the  return  be  filed,  and  that  the  letters 
be  laid  on  the  table  for  the  inspection  of  the  members. 

Sundry  copies  of  associations  from  the  Township  of 
Freehold  in  Monmouth  County,  the  Township  of  Hills- 
borough in  Somerset  County,  and  the  Township  of  Mans- 
field in  Burlington  County,  were  read,  and  ordered  to  be 
filed. 

A  petition  from  a  number  of  inhabitants  of  the  Town- 
ship of  Nottingham,  praying  that  the  petitioners  may  be 
allowed  to  join  Captain  Harrison's  company  of  light  in- 
fantry in  Trenton  ;  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  Congress  adjourned  until  nine  o'clock  to-morrow 
morning. 

Thursday,  October  5, 1775. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 
On  motion  made. 

Resolved,  That  William  Paterson,  Esquire,  be  appointed 
Secretary  to  this  Congress. 

The  petition  from  Monmouth  County,  suggesting  that 
the  Deputies  returned  for  that  County  were  not  duly 
elected,  was  read  a  second  time;  whereupon,  on  motion 
of  Mr.  Holmes,  it  is  ordered  that  the  parties  be  allowed  a 
public  hearing  on  the  prayer  of  this  petition  on  Wednes- 
day next,  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon ;  and  that  the 
Deputies  from  Monmouth  do  acquaint  the  parties  there- 
with. 

The  letter  from  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  New  York, 
to  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  this  Colony,  respecting  the 
apprehending  of  deserters  from  the  Continental  Troops, 
was  read  a  second  time. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Fisher,  Mr.  Dunham  and  Mr.  Stew- 
art, be  a  Committee  to  prepare  the  draught  of  a  reso- 
lution relative  to  the  same,  and  make  a  report  thereof  to 
this  Congress. 

The  Congress  adjourned  until  nine  o'clock  to-morrow 
morning. 

Friday, 


201 


Friday,  October  G,  1775. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

A  petition  from  Jonathan  Williams  and  others,  object- 
ing to  the  field  officers  of  the  second  battalion  of  Militia 
for  the  County  of  Gloucester,  as  recommended  by  the 
County  Committee,  and  praying  that  other  field  officers 
may  be  commissioned  to  command  that  battalion  ;  was 
read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  petition  from  a  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
County  of  Hunterdon,  praying  that  money  at  interest 
may  be  taxed ;  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  proposal  from  James  Campbell  and  others,  respect- 
ing the  manufacturing  of  fire-arms  in  this  Colony  ;  was 
read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

On  motion  made, 

Oi'dered,  That  Mr.  Pearson,  Mr.  Stewart,  Mr.  Holmes, 
Mr.  De  Hart  and  Mr.  Camp,  be  a  Committee  to  examine 
the  returns  of  minute-men  and  officers,  and  report  the 
same  to  this  Congress. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Covenhoven,  that  Colonel  Taylor  be 
heard  before  this  Congress,  pursuant  to  the  recommenda- 
tion of  the  County  Committee  of  Monmouth,  upon  the 
question  whether  in  Colonel  Taylor's  particular  case  he 
might  not  be  permitted  to  hold  the  commission  of  Cap- 
tain and  the  commission  of  Colonel  in  the  same  regiment 
at  the  same  time  ? 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Taylor  be  heard  immediately. 

Colonel  Taylor,  having  been  called  in,  was  heard ; 
whereupon,  on  motion  made,  it  is 

Resolved,  That  the  determination  of  this  matter  be 
postponed  to  a  future  day. 

The  Congress  adjourned  until  nine  o'clock  to-morrow 
morning. 


Saturday,  October  7,  1775. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 
The  Committee  appointed  to  examine  the  returns  of 
minute-officers,  having  reported  that  they  had  examined 

the 


202 


the  muster-rolls  of  Captain  Hazlet,  Captain  Stout,  and 
Captain  Brearley,  and  found  them  agreeable  to  the  ordi- 
nance of  the  late  Congress. 

Ordered,  That  commissions  do  issue  to  the  respective 
officers  of  those  three  companies. 

On  motion  made, 

Resolved,  That  on  Thursday  morning  next  this  Con- 
gress will  take  into  consideration  the  following  matters, 
to  wit: 

1st.  Whether  the  present  state  of  the  Provincial  fund, 
ordered  by  the  late  Congress,  be  sufficient  to  answer  the 
present  public  exigencies? 

2.  Whether  any  and  what  further  Provincial  fund  is 
necessary?  And, 

3.  The  ways  and  means  to  erect  such  fund  ? 
The  Congress  adjourned  to  3  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

The  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  Colonel 
Taylor's  case;  and,  after  debating  the  same. 

Resolved  unanimously.  That  no  officer  in  the  Militia 
service  in  this  Colony  be  permitted  to  hold  two  commis- 
sions at  the  same  time. 

On  motion  made. 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  no  one  person  shall  hold 
commissions  under  the  minute  and  militia  ordinances  at 
the  same  time. 

The  Congress  adjourned  until  Monday  morning  next, 
10  o'clock. 


Monday,  October  9,  1775. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Two  petitions  from  the  inhabitants  of  the  County  of 
Sussex,  signed  by  a  great  number  of  persons,  and  praying 
that  all  who  pay  taxes  may  be  admitted  to  vote,  with  the 
freeholders  at  future  elections,  for  Deputies  to  serve  in 
Congress;  were  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Five  petitions  from  other  inhabitants  of  the  County  of 
Sussex,  signed  by  a  number  of  persons,  and  praying  that 

all 


203 


nil  suits  at  law  for  the  recovery  of  debts  already  com- 
menced, or  to  be  commenced  may  be  suspended  upon 
certain  conditions,  until  the  dispute  between  Great  Britain 
and  the  Colonies  shall  be  settled ;  were  read,  and  ordered 
a  second  reading. 
On  motion  made, 

Ordered,  That  commissions  do  issue  to  the  officers  of 
the  third  company  of  foot  of  the  township  of  Acquanuck. 
On  motion  made, 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Hart,  Mr.  Dennis,  Mr.  Demarest, 
Mr.  Van  Dyke,  Mr.  Winds,  Mr.  Martin,  Mr.  Elijah  Clark, 
Mr.  Hand,  Mr.  Carey,  Mr.  Elmer,  Mr.  Newbold,  Mr.  Taylor 
and  Mr.  Potter,  be  a  Committee  to  prepare  an  estimate  of 
the  expence  necessary  to  put  this  Colony  into  a  posture 
of  defence  at  this  time,  and  to  make  report  thereof  to  this 
Congress  on  Thursday  morning  next. 

The  Congress  adjourned  to  3  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Mr,  Dunham  having  informed  this  Congress  that  he 
had  seen  Mr.  Paterson,  who  had  acquainted  him  that  his 
business  and  circumstances  would  by  no  means  admit  of 
his  officiating  as  Secretary. 

The  Congress  proceeded  to  the  choice  of  a  Secretary, 
when  Jolin  Carey,  Esq.,  was  unanimously  chosen  Secre- 
tary ;  and  Abraham  Clark  and  Charles  Stewart,  Esquires, 
Assistant  Secretaries. 

A  petition  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  the  County  of 
Gloucester,  praying  that  some  mode  may  be  adopted  to 
compel  the  payment  of  the  Ten  Thousand  Pound  tax, 
from  those  in  that  County  who  have  refused  to  pay  the 
same;  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  petition  from  Jonathan  Williams  and  others,  of 
Gloucester  County,  relative  to  the  appointment  of  field- 
olficers,  for  the  Second  Battalion  of  Militia  in  that 
County,  was  read  a  second  time;  and  the  recommenda- 
tion of  the  County  Committee  of  Gloucester  having  like- 
wise been  read,  and  the  prayer  of  the  said  petition  having 
been  duly  considered. 

Resolved  unanimously.  That  commissions  do  issue  to  the 
gentlemen  recommended  by  the  County  Committee  as 

proper 


204 


proper  persons  for  the  officers  of  the  three  Battalions  in 
that  County. 

The  Congress  adjourned  until  nine  o'clock  to-morrow 
morning. 


Tuesday,  October  10,  1775. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 
On  motion  made, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Fisher,  Mr.  Abraham  Clark  and 
Mr.  Dennis,  be  a  Committee  to  inspect  the  minutes  of  the 
late  Congress  and  Committee  of  Safety;  and  that  they 
make  report  of  such  business  as  stands  referred  to  the 
consideration  of  this  Congress. 

A  petition  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  Morris  County, 
praying  this  Congress  to  appoint  field  officers  for  the 
lower  Regiment  of  Militia  for  the  said  county;  was  read, 
and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  Congress  adjourned  to  nine  o'clock  to-morrow 
morning. 


Wednesday,  October  11,  1775. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

The  petition  from  Morris  County,  praying  this  Con- 
gress to  appoint  field-officers,  &c.,  was  read  a  second 
time  and  Captain  Bates  attending  at  the  door,  and  de- 
siring to  be  heard  in  support  of  this  petition, 

Resolved,  That  Captain  Bates  be  heard  relative  to  the 
prayer  of  the  said  petition  :  and  Captain  Bates  having  been 
heard  accordingly,  and  the  Congress  having  debated  the 
same, 

Resolved,  That  this  Congress  think  it  is  most  expedi- 
ent to  wait  for  further  information  before  they  proceed 
to  the  appointment  of  officers ;  and  that  the  Captains  and 
subalterns  of  the  said  Regiment  be  directed  to  recom- 
mend proper  persons  for  field-officers;  such  recommend- 
ation to  be  certified  by  the  Chairman  of  the  County 
Committee. 

A 


205 


A  petition  from  Stephen  Burrows,  relative  to  the 
makinfT  of  cartouch  boxes;  was  read,  and  ordered  a  sec- 
ond reading. 

A  })etition  from  the  Committee  of  Arawell,  praying 
that  the  Third  Regiment  of  the  Militia  of  Hunterdon 
Count}^  may  continue;  but  that  the  commissions  of  the 
field-officers  be  vacated,  and  that  the  Captains  and  sub- 
alterns may  be  allowed  to  choose  field-officers ;  was  read, 
and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  petition  from  a  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
lower  part  of  Amwell,  praying  that  the  Third  Regiment 
in  the  County  of  Hunterdon  may  be  united  to  the  First 
Regiment  commanded  by  Colonel  Smith;  was  read,  and 
ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  petition  from  the  inhabitants  of  the  upper  part  of 
Amwell,  praying,  that  if  any  alteration  be  made  in  the 
Third  Regiment  of  the  Militia  of  Hunterdon,  the  petition- 
ers may  be  united  to  the  Fourth  Regiment  and  not  to 
the  First  Regiment;  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second 
reading. 

A  petition  from  Captain  Imlay  and  Captain  Gray, 
praying  that  the  field-officers  of  the  Third  Regiment  of 
Militia  of  Hunterdon  may  be  continued ;  was  read,  and 
ordered  a  second  reading. 

On  motion  made, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Fisher,  Mr.  Abraham  Clark,  Mr. 
Dennis,  Mr.  Stewart  and  Mr.  Ellis,  be  a  Committee  to 
prepare  the  draught  of  an  ordinance  for  the  further  regu- 
lating of  the  Militia  of  this  Colony,  and  make  report 
thereof  to  this  Congress. 

Tliis  Congress  having  received  information  that,  a  few 
days  since,  a  small  vessel  supposed  to  be  a  tender  to  some 
man  of  war,  was  taken  near  Barnagat,  with  three  per- 
sons on  board ;  and  this  information  appearing  to  be 
true,  this  Congress  think  it  proper  that  the  said  vessel  be 
detained  for  the  present,  and  that  the  persons  taken  on 
board  be  secured  in  some  safe  place  in  the  County  of 
Monmouth,  until  this  Congress  can  obtain  satisfactory 
information  respecting  those  persons,  their  business  and 
destination.    And  this  Congress  request  the  Committee 

of 


206 


of  Monmouth  to  make  diligent  inquiry  into  the  above 
matter,  and  to  report  to  this  Congress  whatever  discovery 
they  may  be  able  to  obtain  ;  of  which  the  Secretary  is 
ordered  to  give  the  said  Committee  notice. 

The  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  petition 
from  the  County  of  Monmouth,  suggesting  that  the  Depu- 
ties returned  for  that  County  were  not  duly  elected,  and 
praying  that  the  late  election  may  be  vacated  and  a  new 
one  granted  ;  and  the  parties,  for  and  against  the  petition 
attending,  were  called  in  and  heard  pursuant  to  the 
order  of  the  day,  and  desiring  a  further  hearing  thereon. 

The  Congress  adjourned  to  four  o'clock  P.  M. 


The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

The  Congress  resumed  the  further  consideration  of  the 
petition  from  Monmouth  respecting  ihe  election  of  Depu- 
ties; and  the  parties  again  attending  were  called  in  and 
heard,  and  then  withdrew. 

The  Deputies  from  Monmouth  having  desired  leave  to 
withdraw  during  the  debate, 

Ordered,  That  leave  be  granted ;  and  the  Deputies  with- 
drew accordingly. 

Whereupon,  after  debating  the  question, 

On  motion  made, 

Resolved,  That  the  determination  of  the  question  be 
postponed  until  to-morrow  morning. 

The  Congress  adjourned  to  nine  o'clock  to-morrow 
morning. 

Thursday,  October  12,  1775. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

The  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  peti- 
tion from  Monmouth  County,  relative  to  the  election  of 
deputies ;  and  after  debating  the  same,  the  question  being 
put,  whether  the  election  was  regular  or  not?  It  passed 
in  the  affirmative : 


Yeas — 


207 


Yeas — 

Bergen  County,  Morris, 

Middlesex,  Sussex, 

Somerset,  Hunterdon, 


Salem, 
Cumberland 
Cape  May. 


Nays — 

Burlington  County,  Gloucester, 


Essex. 


Ordered,  That  the  Deputies  from  Monmouth  County  be 
called  in,  and  that  they  take  their  seats. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  the  draught  of  a 
resolution  for  apprehending  of  deserters  from  the  Conti- 
nental troops,  reported  a  draught  of  such  resolution  ; 
which  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Mr.  Hart,  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  prepare 
an  estimate  of  the  expence  necessary  to  put  this  Colony 
into  a  state  of  defence,  reported  the  draught  of  such  an 
estimate  ;  wiiich  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  petition  from  the  Committee  of  Hackinsack, 
recommending  Militia  officers  for  that  precinct,  was 
read  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

On  motion  made, 

Resolved,  That  the  question  relative  to  the  state  of  the 
Provincial  fund  be  postponed  till  the  afternoon,  to  be 
then  taken  into  consideration. 

The  petition  from  the  Committee  of  Hackinsack, 
recommending  Militia  officers  for  that  precinct,  was  read 
a  second  time  ; 

Ordered,  That  commissions  do  issue  pursuant  to  the 
prayer  of  the  said  petition. 

A  petition  from  the  Township  of  Kingwood,  and  a 
petition  from  the  Township  of  Alexandria,  in  the  County 
of  Hunterdon,  praying  that  house  holders,  and  others 
not  freeholders,  who  pay  their  proportion  of  taxes  in 
this  Colony,  may  be  admitted  to  vote  for  Deputies  to 
serve  in  Provincial  Congress  at  future  elections ;  were 
read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Two  other  petitions  from  the  Townships  of  Greenwich 
and  Mansfield-Woodhouse,  in  the  County  of  Sussex,  both 
of  the  same  purport  as  above;  were  also  read,  and 
ordered  a  second  reading. 


A 


208 


A  petition  from  the  officers  of  tlie  united  regiment  of 
Freehold  and  Middletown,  praying  that  the  officers 
tlierein  named  may  be  commissioned,  was  read  ; 

Ordered,  That  commissions  do  issue  accordingly. 

The  Congress  adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Pursuant  to  the  order  of  the  day,  the  Congress  re- 
solved itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House,  and 
chose  Mr.  Fisher  Chairman,  upon  the  estimate  of  the 
expence  necessary  to  put  this  Colony  into  a  state  of  de- 
fence at  this  time ;  and  also  upon  the  ways  and  means 
necessary  to  be  adopted  to  provide  a  sufficient  fund  to 
defray  that  expence;  and,  after  some  time  spent  therein, 
Mr.  President  resumed  the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Fisher,  Chair- 
man of  the  Committee,  reported,  that  the  Committee  had 
made  some  progress  in  the  business  to  them  referred,  and 
desired  leave  to  sit  again  ;  to  which  the  Congress  agreed. 

A  letter  from  James  Kinsey  and  William  Livingston, 
Esquires,  two  of  the  members  of  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, recommending  to  the  consideration  of  this  Con- 
gress to  raise  two  Battalions  in  this  Colony  immediately; 
was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  Congress  adjourned  until  9  o'clock  to-morrow 
morning. 

Friday,  October  13, 1775. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

The  following  letter  from  the  President  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress,  inclosing  the  minutes  of  that  House  as 
to  the  raising  of  two  Battalions  in  this  Colony  immedi- 
ately; and  also  forty-eight  blank  commissions,  for  the 
Captains  and  subaltern  officers,  was  laid  before  this  Con- 
gress; and  the  letter  and  minutes  were  read,  and  ordered 
a  second  reading. 

Philadelphia,  Oct.  12, 1775. 

Gentlkmen  : — Some  late  intelligence,  laid  before  Con- 
gress, 


209 


gress,  seems  to  render  it  absolutely  necessary,  for  the 
protection  of  our  liberties,  and  safety  of  our  lives,  to  raise 
several  new  Battalions,  and  therefore  the  Congress  have 
come  into  the  inclosed  resolutions,  which  I  am  ordered 
to  transmit  to  you.  The  Congress  have  the  firmest  con- 
fidence that,  from  your  experienced  zeal  in  this  great 
cause,  you  will  exert  your  utmost  endeavors  to  carry  the 
said  resolutions  into  execution  with  all  possible  expedi- 
tion. 

The  Congress  have  agreed  to  furnish  the  men  with  a 
hunting  shirt,  not  exceeding  the  value  of  one  dollar  and 
one-third  of  a  dollar,  and  a  blanket,  provided  these  can 
be  procured,  but  these  are  not  to  be  made  part  of  the 
terms  of  enlistment. 

I  am,  gentlemen. 

Your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

John  Hancock, 

President. 

By  order  of  Congress,  I  forward  you  forty-eight  com- 
missions for  the  Captains  and  subaltern  officers  in  the 
New  Jersey  Battalions. 

To  the  members  of  the  Convention  of  New  Jersey. 


In  Congress,  Monday,  October  9,  1775. 
On  motion  made, 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Convention 
of  New  Jersey,  that  they  immediately  raise,  at  the  expence 
of  tlie  Continent,  two  Battalions,  consisting  of  eight  com- 
panies, each  company  of  sixty-eight  privates,  and  officered 
with  one  Captain,  one  Lieutenant,  one  Ensign,  four  Ser- 
geants and  four  Corporals. 

That  the  privates  be  enlisted  for  a  year,  at  the  rate  of 
five  dollars  per  calendar  month,  liable  to  be  discharged 
at  au)'^  time,  on  allowing  them  one  month's  pay  extra- 
ordinary. 

That  each  of  the  privates  be  allowed,  instead  of  a 
bounty,  a  felt  hat,  a  pair  of  yarn  stockings,  and  a  pair  of 
shoes  ;  the  men  to  find  their  own  arms. 

That 

15  * 


210 


That  the  pay  of  the  officers,  for  the  present,  be  tlie  same 
as  that  of  the  officers  in  the  present  Continental  army  and 
in  case  the  pay  of  the  officers  in  the  present  Continental 
army  is  augmented,  the  pa}'  of  the  officers  in  these  Bat- 
talions shall  be  in  like  manner  augmented,  from  the 
time  of  their  engaging  in  the  service. 


October  12,  1775. 

Resolved,  That  each  Captain  and  other  commissioned 
officer,  while  in  the  recruiting  service  of  this  Continent, 
or  on  their  march  to  join  the  army,  shall  be  allowed  two 
dollars  and  two-thirds  of  a  dollar  per  week,  for  their  sub- 
sistence; and  that  the  men  who  enlist  shall  each  of  them, 
whilst  in  quarters,  be  allowed  one  dollar  per  week,  and 
one  dollar  and  one-third  of  a  dollar  when  on  their  march 
to  join  the  army  for  the  same  purpose. 

That  the  President  transmit  to  the  Convention  of  New 
Jersey  blank  commissions,  to  be  filled  up  by  the  said 
Convention,  to  the  Captains  and  subaltern  officers  in  the 
said  two  Battalions,  and  that  the  appointment  of  the  field 
officers  be  for  the  present  suspended,  until  the  Congress 
shall  take  order  on  that  matter. 

The  form  of  the  inlistment  to  be  in  the  following 
words : 

"I  have  this  day  voluntarily  enlisted  myself,  as 

a  soldier  in  the  American  Continental  army,  for  one 
year,  unless  sooner  discharged ;  and  do  bind  myself  to 
conform,  in  all  instances,  to  such  rules  and  regulations 
as  are  or  shall  be  established  for  the  government  of  the 
said  army." 

A  true  copy  from  the  minutes. 

Chas.  Thomson, 
Sec. 

By  order  of  the  Congress. 

John  Hancock, 

President. 

A  memorial  from  Jonathan  D.  Sergeant,  Esq.,  Treas- 
urer 


211 


urer  to  the  late  Congress,  with  a  report  of  his  proceed- 
ings, were  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  letter  from  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Safety 
of  Pennsylvania,  inclosing  two  letters,  said  to  have  been 
written  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jonathan  Odell  of  Burlington,  to 
certain  persons  in  Great  Britain,  and  referring  the  con- 
sideration of  the  said  letters  to  this  Congress,  was  laid 
before  the  Congress,  and  the  several  letters  were  read,  and 
ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  memorial  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Odell,  praying  that 
this  Congress  will  be  pleased  to  appoint  an  hour  for  his 
being  heard  this  day,  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second 
reading. 

A  motion  was  made  by  Mr.  Mehelm,  that  this  Congress 
do  in  general  keep  their  doors  open  ;  and,  on  the  question 
being  put,  it  passed  in  the  negative. 

On  motion  made, 

Ordered,  That  the  several  associations,  with  the  lists  of 
such  persons  as  have  not  associated,  returned  to  this  Con- 
gress, be  filed  for  the  inspection  of  the  Deputies. 

A  petition  from  the  Freeholders  of  Hackinsack,  object- 
ing to  the  election  of  the  Committee  of  that  precinct,  and 
referring  the  merits  of  that  election  to  this  Congress,  was 
read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  petition  from  a  number  of  the  Freeholders  of  the 
precinct  of  Hackinsack,  praying  that  the  said  election 
may  be  confirmed,  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  letter 
from  the  Continental  Congress,  recommending  two  Bat- 
talions to  be  immediately  raised  in  this  Colony;  and, 
after  some  time  spent  therein. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Fisher,  Mr.  Ogden,  Mr.  Abraham 
Clark  and  Mr.  Stewart,  be  a  Committee  to  prepare  the 
draught  of  an  answer,  and  to  report  the  same  this  after- 
noon. 

The  letter  from  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, with  the  letters  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Odell  sent  there- 
with ;  and  also  the  memorial  of  Mr.  Odell,  desiring  to 
be  heard  respecting  the  above  letters,  were  all  read  a  sec- 
ond time  ;  and  Mr.  Odell  attending  : 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Odell  hath  leave  to  return  to  his 

house 


I 

212 


house  at  present,  upon  his  parol  of  honor  to  attend  this 
Congress  on  Tuesday  next  at  three  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  examine  the  muster-roll 
of  Minute  Officei's,  reported,  that  they  had  inspected 
those  of  Captain  Tenbrook,  Captain  Shaw  and  Captain 
Anderson,  and  recommend  that  their  commissions  be 
granted. 

Ordered,  That  commissions  do  issue  accordingly  to  the 
officers  of  those  companies. 

The  Congress  adjourned  till  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Several  memorials  having  been  presented  to  this  Con- 
gress, from  gentlemen  who  offer  themselves  for  commis- 
sions in  the  two  Battalions  expected  to  be  raised  in  this 
Colony;  it  is  ordered  that  all  such  memorials  as  already 
have,  or  hereafter  may  be  received  on  this  subject,  be 
filed,  until  this  Congress  shall  have  come  to  a  determina- 
tion as  to  the  raising  of  those  Battalions  ;  and  then  to  be 
taken  into  consideration. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  the  draught  of 
an  answer  to  the  lettei-  from  the  Continental  Congress, 
reported  a  draught;  which  was  read,  and  ordered  to  be 
engrossed. 

The  following  engrossed  answer  to  the  letter  from  the 
Continental  Congress  was  read  and  approved,  ordered  to 
be  signed  by  the  President,  and  dispatched  immediately. 

Trenton,  October  13,  1775. 

Gentlemen  : — The  Congress  of  New  Jersey,  animated 
with  equal  affection,  to  the  common  cause  of  America, 
and,  equally  with  the  other  Provinces,  desirous  to  pro- 
mote its  general  interest  as  far  as  in  their  power,  are  sorry 
to  find  their  good  intentions  likely  to  be  restrained  by 
one  of  the  resolutions  of  the  honorable  Continental  Con- 
gress of  the  12th  instant,  obligingly  communicated  to  us 
by  their  President. 

We  cannot  but  observe  that  if  the  nomination  of  the 

field 


213 


field  officers  of  the  Battalions  proposed  to  be  raised  in 
this  Province,  be  not  first  ascertained  to  be  in  this  Con- 
gress, it  will  much  impede  the  expeditious  raising  the 
men  ;  and  we  are  clearly  of  opinion,  that  it  will  tend 
much  to  expedite  this  service,  if  field  officers  are  first  of 
all  appointed  ;  for  if  they  are  such  as  are  generally  re- 
spected in  the  Province,  not  only  Captains  and  subalterns 
of  reputation  will  offer  their  service,  but  the  privates  will 
enlist  more  cheerfully — Indeed  the  other  commissions 
cannot,  perhaps,  be  properly  filled  up,  without  inserting 
in  what  Battalion  the  officers  are  to  serve. 

We  also  humbly  conceive  that,  as  other  Provinces  have 
been  indulged  with  this  privilege,  we  cannot,  in  justice 
to  our  constituents,  nor  consistent  with  the  honor  of  our 
Province,  give  up  this  claim. 

We  have  do  doubt,  therefore,  but  that  the  honorable 
Continental  Congress  will  reconsider  this  resolution,  and 
determine  that  this  Province  ought  neither  to  be  pre- 
cluded a  privilege  granted  to  every  other  Province,  nor 
restrained  in  their  endeavors  to  promote  the  general  in- 
terest of  America, — In  such  case,  we  beg  leave  to  assure 
them,  that  this  Congress  will  exert  all  its  influence  in 
promoting  the  raising  the  proposed  levies ;  and  we  have 
the  pleasure  to  add,  that  we  have  reason  to  hope  they 
will  be  attended  with  the  desired  success. 
We  are  gentlemen. 

Your  most  obedient  servants. 

By  order  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New  Jersey. 

Samuel  Tucker, 

President. 

The  members  of  the  Honorable  the  \ 
Continental  Congress,  Philad'a.  j 

On  motion  made. 

The  Congress  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the 
Whole  House,  upon  the  estimate  of  the  expence  neces- 
sary to  put  this  Colony  into  a  state  of  defence  at  this  time ; 
and  also  upon  the  ways  and  means  necessary  to  be 
adopted  to  provide  a  sufficient  fund  to  defray  that  ex- 
pence;  and,  after  some  time  spent  therein,  Mr.  President 
resumed  the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Fisher,  Chairman  of  the 

Committee, 


214 


Committee,  reported,  that  the  Committee  had  made  some 
further  progress  in  the  matters  to  them  referred,  and  de- 
sired leave  to  sit  again  on  Thursday  next ;  to  which  the 
Congress  agreed. 

The  Congress  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  to-morrow 
morning. 


Saturday,  October  14, 1775. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

The  petition  from  the  freeholders  of  Hackinsack,  com- 
plaining of  an  undue  election  of  the  Committee  of  that 
precinct;  and  also  the  petition  from  others,  freeholders  of 
Hackinsack,  praying  that  the  said  election  may  be  con- 
firmed, were  both  read  a  second  time;  and,  after  hearing 
the  sundry  evidence  on  both  sides,  and  deliberating 
thereon. 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  the  election  of  the  Commit- 
tee for  the  precinct  of  Hackinsack  be  confirmed. 

The  certificate  from  the  Committee  of  the  County  of 
Bergen,  of  field  officers  chosen  for  the  Regiment  of  Mili- 
tia in  that  County,  was  read  ; 

Ordered,  That  commissions  do  issue  to  the  several  offi- 
cers therein  named. 

Whereas,  from  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  the 
County  of  Morris,  a  debt  of  about  one  hundred  and 
eighty  Pounds  hath  accrued  in  the  raising  of  minute- 
men  in  May  last,  on  the  alarming  account  of  the  battle 
of  Lexington  ;  and  it  being  thought  to  be  right  and  just 
that  the  same  should  be  discharged,  it  is  therefore  recom- 
mended to  the  Committee  of  the  County  of  Morris,  to 
pay  the  same  out  of  their  part  or  proportion  of  the  Ten 
Thousand  Pound  tax,  levied  on  the  inhabitants  of  that 
County,  in  virtue  of  an  ordinance  of  the  late  Congress  ; 
Provided,  That  this  payment  be  not  considered  as  paid, 
or  ordered  to  be  paid,  at  the  general  expence  of  the 
Colony. 

On  motion  made, 

Ordered,  Thatcommissions  do  issue  to  the  several  officers 
of  the  regiment  of  Militia  in  the  County  of  Bergen,  whose 

names 


215 


names  arc  mentioned  in  the  certificate  signed  by  the  clerk 
of  the  County  Committee. 
On  motion  made, 

Ordered,  Tliat  commissions  do  issue  to  the  several  field 
officers  of  the  regiment  of  Militia  of  Cape  May,  whose 
names  are  mentioned  in  the  certificate  of  the  County 
Committee. 

On  motion  made, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Cooper,  Mr.  Mehelm,  Mr.  De  Hart 
and  Mr.  Carey,  be  a  Committee  to  prepare  the  draught  of  a 
letter  to  the  Continental  Congress,  and  report  the  same 
this  afternoon. 

The  Congress  adjourned  till  four  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  the  draught  of  a 
letter  to  the  Continental  Congress,  reported  such  draught, 
which  was  read  the  first  and  second  time,  and  ordered  to 
be  engrossed. 

The  following  engrossed  letter  to  the  Continental  Con- 
gress was  read,  approved,  and  ordered  to  be  signed  by 
the  President,  and  dispatched  immediately : 

In  Provincial  Congress,  \ 
Trenton,  October  14,  1775.  j 

Gentlemen: — This  Congress  finding  tliat,  in  order  to 
enable  them  to  provide  a  sufficient  quantity  of  arras  and 
ammunition,  and  such  other  articles  as  are  essentially 
necessary  to  enforce  the  operations  of  tlie  present  glorious 
struggle  for  liberty,  a  very  considerable  fund  must  at  all 
events  be  im mediately'  raised  ;  and  as  this  Congress,  in 
all  cases  of  importance,  think  it  necessary  that  the}'' 
should  have  some  knowledge  of  the  sentiments  of  the 
Continental  Congress,  I  am  directed  to  apply  to  your 
House,  and  to  inquire  whether  it  is  consistent  with  the 
measures  the  Continental  Congress  have  adopted,  to  let 
any  of  the  Provinces  have  the  use  of  such  a  sum  of  the 
Continental  currency  as  may  be  sufficient  to  answer  their 
particular  exigencies,  upon  the  faith  of  such  Province ; 
and,  if  so,  what  sum  the  Continental  Congress  can  spare, 

and 

• 


216 


and  upon  what  terms,  for  the  use  of  New  Jersey  at  this 
time. 

Anxiousl)'  desirous  of  rendering  every  possible  assist- 
ance t )  the  common  cause,  this  Congress  have  it  before 
them  to  make  provision  sufficient  to  enable  them,  at 
least,  to  raise  four  thousand  minute-men,  to  take  the 
field  on  any  emergency ;  but  as  it  is  uncertain  what  pro- 
vision the  Continental  Congress  may  have  thought  proper 
to  make  for  such  minute-men,  if  called  into  actual  ser- 
vice, I  am  likewise  directed  to  apply  to  you  for  informa- 
tion in  this  respect. 

This  Congress  beg  the  favour  of  an  answer  as  soon  as 
possible. 

By  order  of  Congress. 
I  am,  Gentlemen, 

Your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

Samuel  Tucker, 

President. 

To  the  members  of  the  Honorable  the  Continental 
Congress  now  sitting  at  Philadelphia 

The  Congress  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  on  Monday 
morning. 

Monday,  October  16,  1775. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 
On  motion  made, 

Ordered,  That  commissions  do  issue  to  the  several 
officers  of  the  battalion  of  minute-men,  in  the  County  of 
Morris,  whose  names  are  mentioned  in  the  certificate  of 
the  County  Committee,  in  the  order  and  of  the  dates  as 
set  forth  in  the  certificate. 

The  Congress  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  to-morrow 
morning. 

Tuesday,  October  17,  1775. 
The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

The 


217 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  tlio  drauglit  of  a 
Resolution,  respecting  the  appreliending  of  deserters 
from  the  Continental  Troops,  reported  the  following 
draught,  which  was  read,  passed,  and  ordered  to  be  en- 
grossed. 

1.  Resolved,  That,  when  information  shall  be  made  to 
any  member  of  any  County  or  Town  Committee  in  this 
Colony  of  any  deserters  from  the  Continental  Army  being 
found  lurking  in  such  County  or  town,  any  member  of 
such  Town  or  County  Committee  shall  be,  and  he  is 
hereby  authorized  to  issue  his  order  to  the  Captain  or 
Commanding  Officer  of  any  Company  of  Minute  or 
Militia  men  in  such  town  or  County,  requiring  him  to 
send  one  or  more  men  of  his  Company  to  search  for  and 
to  apprehend  such  deserter;  and,  when  apprehended,  to 
confine  him  in  some  safe  place,  until  he  can  be  con- 
veniently conducted  to  the  army.  Provided  always,  that 
if  any  person  or  persons,  so  apprehended  as  aforesaid, 
shall  deny  his  or  their  being  a  deserter  or  deserters,  the 
Chairman  or  Deputy  Chairman  of  such  Town  Commit- 
tee, do  immediately  convene  such  Town  Committee  to 
hear  and  determine  the  same. 

2.  Resolved,  That  all  reasonable  expences  of  apprehend- 
ing and  conducting  any  such  deserter  or  deserters  as 
aforesaid,  and  allowed  by  any  County  Committee,  shall 
be  paid  out  of  any  public  monies  in  the  hands  of  the 
Treasurer  or  Collector  of  such  County  ;  and  that  such 
County  Committee  do  transmit  the  accounts  of  such  dis- 
bursements to  this  Congress  or  the  Committee  of  Safety, 
to  be  laid  before  the  Continental  Congress  for  reimburse- 
ment. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  inhabitants  of  this  Colony  in  gen- 
eral be  desired  to  exert  themselves  in  causing  such 
deserter  or  deserters  to  be  apprehended  ;  and  that  any 
thing  contained  in  the  above  resolutions  shall  not  be 
construed  to  preclude  any  such  inhabitant  from  appre- 
hending such  deserters  without  waiting  for  an  order 
from  any  member  of  such  town  or  County  Committee  as 
aforesaid. 

The  petition  from  the  Township  of  Nottingham,  pray- 
ing that  the  petitioners  may  be  permitted  to  join  the 

light 


218 


light  infantry  Company  at  Trenton,  was  read  a  second 
time,  and  referred  to  future  consideration. 

The  petition  from  the  County  of  Gloucester,  praying 
that  some  mode  may  be  adopted  to  compel  the  payment 
of  the  ten  thousand  pounds  tax,  from  such  persons  as 
have  refused  to  pay  the  same,  was  read  a  second  time; 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Hart,  Mr.  Ogden,  Mr.  De  Hart,  Mr. 
Pearson  and  Mr.  Dunham,  be  a  Committee  to  prepare 
the  draught  of  an  Ordinance  for  that  purpose,  and  re- 
port the  same  to  this  Congress. 

The  Congress  adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Pursuant  to  the  order  of  the  day,  the  Congress  resumed 
the  letter  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania, 
the  letters  said  to  be  written  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Odell,  and 
Mr.  Odell's  memorial;  and  Mr.  Odell  attending,  was 
called  in  and  heard,  and  then  ordered  to  withdraw — 
whereupon,  after  deliberating  thereon,  the  previous  ques- 
tion being  put,  that  the  determination  of  Mr.  Odell's  case 
be  postponed  till  to-morrow  morning. 

Resolved,  That  the  same  be  postponed  accordingly. 

The  Congress  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  to-morrow 
morning. 

Wednesday,  October  18,  1775. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

The  report  from  the  Committee  of  the  County  of  Mon- 
mouth, relative  to  the  detention  of  a  small  sloop,  sup- 
posed to  be  a  tender  to  some  ship  of  war,  &c.,  with  the 
several  examinations  respecting  that  matter,  were  read  ; 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  that  Committee  to 
publish  an  advertisement  in  the  newspapers,  describing 
the  sloop,  so  that  the  owner  may  know  where  to  apply; 
and  that  the  men  and  arras  found  on  board  the  said 
sloop,  be  taken  proper  care  of  by  that  Comcnittee,  until 
this  Congress  or  the  Committee  of  Safety,  shall  give  fur- 
ther order  therein. 

The  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  Mr.  Odell's 

case ; 


219 


case;  and,  having  deliberated  thereon,  are  of  opinion, 
tliat  it  appears,  from  the  general  purport  of  Mr.  Odell's 
letter,  that,  he  disapproves  of,  and  is,  in  principle,  opposed 
to  the  measures  of  defence  adopted  by  the  Continent,  to 
prevent  the  oppressive  designs  of  the  British  Ministry  ; 
but,  as  this  Congress  would  by  no  means  violate  the  right 
of  private  sentiment,  and  as  Mr.  Odell's  letter  does  not 
clearly  appear  to  have  been  intended  to  influence  public 
measures,  and  as  some  degree  of  ambiguity  is  contained 
in  several  parts  thereof,  this  Congress  do  therefore  de- 
cline passing  any  public  censure  against  him. 
The  Congress  adjourned  till  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 
On  motion  made, 

Ordered,  That  commissions  do  issue  to  the  officers  of 
Captain  Sweetwood's  company,  in  Colonel  Taylor's  regi- 
ment of  Militia,  in  Monmouth  County. 

The  petition  from  Amwell,  praying  that  the  Third 
Regiment  of  Militia,  in  Hunterdon  County,  may  be 
joined  to  the  first — The  petition  from  the  upper  part  of 
Amwell,  praying  that,  if  any  alteration  be  made  in  the 
Tiiird  Regiment,  the  petitioners  may  be  joined  to  the 
Fourth  Regiment  in  the  said  County — The  petition  from 
the  Committee  of  Amwell;  and  also  the  petition  of  Cap- 
tain Imlay  and  and  Captain  Gray,  respecting  the  Third 
Regiment  of. Hunterdon — were  all  read  a  second  time; 
and  the  Congress,  having  duly  considered  the  prayer  of 
the  several  petitions. 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  the  appointment  of  field 
officers,  for  the  Third  Regiment  of  Militia,  for  the  County 
of  Hunterdon,  be  confirmed;  and  that  the  several  regi- 
ments continue  as  directed  by  the  late  Congress. 

The  Congress  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  to-morrow 
morning. 

Thursday,  October  19,  1775. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 
The  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  petition 

from 


220 


from  Nottingham,  pra3'ing  that  the  petitioners  may  be 
admitted  to  join  the  light  infantry  company  at  Trenton  ; 
and,  on  the  question  being  put, 

Resolved,  That  the  prayer  of  the  petition  be  granted  to 
such  persons  as  reside  in  the  village  of  King's-Borough. 

The  Congress  adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

A  petition  from  sundry  inhabitants  and  freeholders  of 
Trenton  and  parts  adjacent,  praying  that  householders 
may  be  admitted  to  vote  at  future  elections,  and  that 
such  elections  be  carried  on  by  ballot ;  was  read,  and 
ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  the  draught  of 
an  Ordinance  for  the  further  regulation  of  the  Militia  of 
this  Colony,  reported  a  draught  of  the  same  ;  which  was 
read  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Pursuant  to  the  order  of  the  day,  the  Congress  resolved 
itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House,  upon  the 
estimate  of  the  expence  necessary  to  put  this  Colony  into 
a  state  of  defence  at  this  time;  and  also  upon  the  ways 
and  means  necessary  to  be  adopted  to  provide  a  sufficient 
fund  to  defray  that  expence  ;  and,  after  some  time  spent 
therein,  Mr.  President  resumed  the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Fisher, 
Chairman  of  the  Committee,  reported,  that  the  Commit- 
tee had  made  some  further  progress  in  the  matters  refer- 
red to  them,  and  desired  leave  to  sit  again  ;  to  which  the 
Congress  agreed. 

The  several  petitions  from  the  County  of  Sussex, 
praying  a  suspension  of  law  suits,  upon  certain  condi- 
tions, were  read  a  second  time;  and,  after  deliberating 
thereon. 

Ordered,  That  the  further  consideration  of  the  prayer 
of  the  said  petitions  be  postponed  to  a  future  session. 

A  petition  from  the  farmers  of  Essex,  praying  that 
money  at  interest,  lawyers,  &c.,  may  be  taxed,  was  read, 
and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

On  motion  made. 

Ordered,  That  commissions  do  issue  to  the  field  officers 
of  the  northern  battalion  of  the  regiment  of  Militia  of 
the  County  of  Essex. 

On 


221 


On  motion  made, 

The  Congress  resolved  unanimously,  That  a  commission 
of  first  Brigadier  General  of  tlie  Militia  forces  of  this 
Colony  do  issue  to  Pliilemon  Dickinson,  Esquire. 

The  Congress  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  to-morrow 
morning. 

J'riday,  October  20,  1775. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

The  certificate  of  the  election  of  officers  of  the  several 
companies  of  Militia  in  the  Township  of  Freehold,  was 
read  ; 

Ordered,  That  commissions  do  issue  to  the  several  offi- 
cers therein  named. 

The  certificate  of  the  election  of  field  officers  for  the 
battalion  of  minute-men,  for  the  County  of  Monmouth, 
was  read  ; 

Ordered,  That  commissions  do  issue  to  the  officers 
therein  named. 

The  Congress  adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

The  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  Ordi- 
nance for  the  further  regulation  of  the  Militia  forces  of 
this  Colony  ;  and,  after  some  time  spent  therein, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Ordinance  be  committed  to  Mr. 
Stewart,  Mr.  De  Hart,  Mr.  Ellis,  Mr.  Pope  and  Mr.  Browne, 
who  are  to  report  their  proceedings  thereon. 

The  certificate  of  the  election  of  field  officers  for  the 
First  Regiment  of  Sussex  County,  was  read ; 

Ordered,  That  commissions  do  issue  to  the  officers 
therein  named. 

The  several  petitions  from  Hunterdon  and  Sussex, 
praying  that  houseliolders  may  be  permitted  to  vote  at 
future  elections  of  Deputies,  to  serve  in  Congress,  were 
read  a  second  time ;  and,  after  some  time  spent  therein, 

On  motion  made. 

Resolved,  That  the  further  consideration  of  the  above 
petitions  be  postponed  until  Wednesday  next. 

The  Congress  adjourned  until  to-morrow  morning. 

Saturday, 


222 


Saturday,  October  21,  1775. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

The  petition  from  the  farmers  of  Essex,  praying  that 
money  at  interest,  lawyers  and  mechanics,  may  be  taxed  ; 
the  recommendation  of  the  Committee  of  Newark  thereon; 
and  the  petition  from  Hunterdon  County,  praying  that 
money  at  interest  may  be  taxed  ;  were  all  read  a  second 
time,  and  referred  to  further  consideration,  when  this 
Congress  shall  find  it  necessary  to  raise  taxes  in  this 
Colony. 

On  motion  made. 

Resolved,  That  this  Congress  will  take  up  the  further 
consideration  of  the  estimate  of  expences,  and  the  Provin- 
cial fund,  on  Monday  next. 

On  motion  made, 

Ordered,  That  the  following  letter  be  engrossed,  and 
dispatched  immediately  to  the  Continental  Congress, 
signed  by  the  President. 

In  Provincial  Congress.  1 
Trenton,  October  21,  1775.  j 

Sir  : — Since  the  resolutions  of  the  Continental  Congress, 
for  raising  two  Battalions  in  this  Colony,  were  communi- 
cated to  us,  great  numbers  of  gentlemen  have  applied  for 
commissions  or  warrants  to  recruit;  but  this  Congress, 
expecting  hourly  to  hear  from  you  on  the  subject  of 
appointing  the  field  officers,  have,  as  yet,  forbore  either 
to  grant  commissions  or  issue  warrants,  and  therefore  are 
very  anxious  to  have  your  resolution  on  the  subject  of 
our  letter  of  the  13th  instant. 

This  Congress  desire  me  to  assure  you  that  from  every 
appearance  the  Battalions  will  speedily  be  completed,  if 
your  honorable  House  shall  think  proper  to  comply  with 
the  purport  of  our  letter  of  the  13th  instant. 

To  expedite  this  important  service,  I  am  to  request  the 
favour  of  you,  sir,  to  transmit  to  us  the  resolutions  of  the 

Continental 


223 


Continental  Congress,  by  the  bearer,  Thomas  Potts,  Esq., 
one  of  our  members. 

By  order  of  Congress. 

Your  most  humble  servant, 

Samuel  Tucker, 

President. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  \ 
of  the  Continental  Congress,  Philad'a.  / 

The  Congress  adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Joseph  Salter,  Esquire,  having  returned  his  commission 
of  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  Second  Regiment  of  Militia 
for  the  County  of  Monmouth,  and  desired  leave  to  resign 
the  same  ; 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  his  resignation  be  accepted. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  tlie  draught  of  an 
ordinance  for  compelling  the  payment  of  the  ten  thou- 
sand pound  tax,  from  such  persons  as  have  refused  to 
pay  their  quotas,  reported  the  draught  of  such  ordinance ; 
which  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  Congress  adjourned  until  Monday  morning  next. 


Monday,  October  23, 1775. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

The  draught  of  an  Ordinance  for  compelling  the  pay- 
ment of  the  ten  thousand  pound  tax,  from  such  persons 
as  have  refused  to  pay  their  quotas,  was  read  a  second 
time,  paragraph  by  paragraph,  and,  after  deliberating 
thereon. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  engrossed. 

Mr.  Fisher,  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  examine 
what  matters  were  referred  over  to  this  Congress  by  the 
late  Provincial  Congress  or  Committee  of  Safety,  reported, 
that  an  application  to  the  late  Congress  to  encourage  the 
making  of  saltpetre  in  this  Colony,  and  some  petitions 
from  the  County  of  Somerset,  respecting  Colonel  M'Don- 
ald's  appointment  to  the  command  of  the  Battalion  of 

minute-men 


224 


minute-men  in  that  County,  were  all  the  matters  referred 
to  this  Congress. 

The  Congress  adjourned  till  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Pursuant  to  the  order  of  the  da_y,  the  Congress  resolved 
itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House,  upon  the 
estimate  of  the  expence  necessary  to  put  this  Colony  into 
a  state  of  defence  at  this  time ;  and  also  upon  the  ways 
and  means  to  provide  a  fund  to  defray  the  expences  of 
the  same;  and,  after  some  time  spent  therein,  Mr.  Presi- 
dent resumed  the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Fisher,  Chairman  of 
the  Committee,  reported,  that  the  Committee  had  made 
some  further  progress  in  the  matters  referred  to  them, 
and  desired  leave  to  sit  again  ;  to  which  the  Congress 
agreed. 

The  Congress  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  to-morrow 
morning. 

Tuesday,  October  24, 1775. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

A  petition  from  several  persons  of  Captain  Harrison's 
Company  of  light  infantry,  praying  that  the  petitioners 
may  be  indulged  in  continuing  in  that  Company,  not- 
withstanding the  late  Resolution  of  this  Congress ;  was 
read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  following  engrossed  Ordinance,  for  compelling  the 
payment  of  the  ten  thousand  pound  tax,  from  such  per- 
sons as  have  refused  to  pay  their  quotas,  was  read,  ap- 
proved, and,  on  the  question  being  put, 

Resolved,  That  the  same  do  pass. 

Whereas  it  was  resolved  and  directed,  by  an  Ordi- 
nance of  the  late  Congress,  that  the  sum  of  ten  thousand 
pounds  Proclamation  money  should  be  apportioned  and 
raised  for  the  use  of  this  Colony ;  and  it  appearing  that 
the  whole  of  that  sum  hath  not  been  collected  pursuant 
tliereto:  And  whereas  it  is  necessary,  from  the  public 
exigencies  of  this  Colony,  that  the  same  should  be  col- 
lected, 


225 


lected,  and  that  some  equitable  mode  be  ascertained  for 
this  puriiose. 

1.  It  is  therefore  resolved  and  directed,  That  the  Collector 
of  every  town  and  precinct,  appointed  or  to  be  appointed 
pursuant  to  tlie  above  recited  Ordinance,  shall  and  do 
make  demand,  on  or  before  the  twentieth  day  of  Novem- 
ber next,  of  every  person  within  his  District,  who  hath 
neglected  or  refused  paying  the  sum  assessed  in  virtue  of 
said  Ordinance,  or  give  notice  thereof  at  his  usual  place 
of  abode,  and  inform  such  person,  or  give  notice  as  afore- 
said, that  if  the  said  assessment  be  not  paid  into  the 
liands  of  the  said  Collector,  within  fifteen  days  after  the 
said  twentieth  day  of  November  next,  in  such  case,  the 
name  of  the  delinquent  will  be  returned  to  the  Commit- 
tee of  the  County  where  such  delinquent  resides;  and 
such  Count}'  Committee  are  hereby  ordered  to  direct 
their  Chairman  or  Deputy  Chairman,  to  issue  an  order 
to  some  proper  person  or  persons,  to  be  by  them  appointed 
for  that  purpose,  to  make  distress  on  the  goods  and  chat- 
tels of  the  said  delinquent,  and  make  sale  thereof  at  pub- 
lic vendue,  giving  five  days  notice  thereof  by  advertise- 
ment in  such  town  or  County,  who  shall  pay  the  assess- 
ment for  which  such  distress  shall  be  made,  into  the 
hands  of  the  said  Town  Collector,  to  be  by  him  paid  unto 
the  Collector  of  the  County,  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
other  assessments  collected  by  the  Ordinance  aforemen- 
tioned are,  by  an  order  of  the  late  Congress,  directed  to 
be  paid ;  and  the  person  or  persons  so  as  aforesaid  ap- 
pointed, or  to  be  appointed,  to  distrain,  after  payment 
made,  shall  and  may  retain  one  shilling  and  sixpence 
for  each  distress  and  sale:  provided  always,  that,  after 
payment  of  the  sum  so  distrained  for,  and  the  costs  of 
such  distress,  the  overplus,  if  any,  be  returned  to  the 
owner  or  owners  of  the  goods  so  distrained  as  aforesaid. 

2.  And  it  is  further  resolved  and  directed,  That  in  case 
any  Town  Collector,  or  person  appointed  to  distrain  as 
aforesaid,  shall  die,  neglect  or  refuse  to  do  or  perform  the 
several  duties,  in  this  or  the  Ordinance  above  recited, 
enjoined,  new  officers  for  that  purpose  shall  be  appointed 
by  the  Committee  of  the  County  where  such  default  shall 
happen. 

3. 

16  .# 


226 


3.  And  whereas  some  owners  of  profitable  tracts  of 
land,  whereon  improvements  are  made,  may  not  happen 
to  reside  in  the  same  Township  or  Cuunty  where  sucli 
land  lies;  and,  unless  some  remedy  be  provided,  it  may 
be  impracticable  to  recover  the  assessment  made  on  such 
tracts  of  land  ;  it  is  therefore  resolved  and  directed,  that  the 
goods  and  chattels  of  the  tenant,  or  other  person  residing 
upon  or  having  the  care  of  such  tracts  of  land,  or  the 
goods  and  chattels  of  the  landlord,  if  there  found,  on  his 
refusal  or  neglect  to  pay  the  said  assessment,  shall  be 
liable  to  be  distrained  and  sold  for  payment  thereof,  and 
all  charges  accrued  thereon  ;  and  in  case  the  tenant,  or 
person  having  the  care  of  the  land  as  aforesaid,  shall  pay 
such  assessment,  or  his  goods  be  distrained  and  sold  for 
payment  thereof,  then  the  said  tenant  shall  and  may 
deduct  the  assessment  so  paid  out  of  the  rent  agreed  for. 

4.  And  it  is  further  resolved  and  directed,  That  in  case 
any  person  or  persons  shall  think  him,  her  or  themselves 
aggrieved  by  any  assessment  made  in  pursuance  of  this 
or  tiie  above  recited  ordinance,  and  complaint  thereof  be 
made  to  the  Committee  of  the  County  where  such  person 
or  persons  shall  reside,  at  the  next  meeting  after  the  de- 
mand of  the  assessment  as  aforesaid  hath  been  made, 
such  County  Committee  shall  and  may,  in  such  case, 
determine  the  same ;  and  if  they  shall  adjudge  that  the 
complainant  has  been  unduly  assessed  in  the  whole  or  in 
part,  the  Chairman  or  Deputy  Chairman  of  such  County 
Committee,  is  hereby  directed  to  draw  an  order  on  the 
Town  or  County  Collector,  as  the  case  may  require,  for 
repayment  to  the  complainant  of  so  much  as  shall  be  ad- 
judged to  have  been  {)aid  more  than  ought  to  have  been 
assessed  ;  provided  always  that  no  such  complaint  shall 
be  heard  until  after  payment  of  the  assessment  com- 
plained of. 

5.  And  it  is  further  resolved  and  directed.  That  every 
County  Collector,  who  shall  neglect  or  refuse  accounting 
with  and  paying  the  monies  that  are  or  shall  be  received 
by  him,  in  virtue  of  this  or  the  ordinance  above  recited, 
to  such  person  or  persons  as  directed  in  and  by  the  said 
recited  ordinance,  shall  forfeit,  for  every  such  offence,  the 
sum  of  twenty  Pounds ;  and  every  Town  Collector,  who 

shall 


227 


shall  neglect  or  refuse  accounting  with  and  paying  into 
the  hands  of  the  Collector  the  monies  that  are  or  shall 
be  received  by  him  in  virtue  of  either  of  the  said  ordi- 
nances above  recited,  when  thereunto  required  by  the 
Committee  of  the  County,  or  shall  neglect  to  do  or  per- 
form the  other  duties  enjoined  by  either  of  the  said 
ordinances,  shall  forfeit  five  Pounds  tor  every  such 
offence;  and  every  person  appointed  to  distrain  as  afore- 
said, who  shall  neglect  or  refuse  accounting  with  and 
paying  into  the  hands  of  the  Collector  of  the  Town, 
where  such  distress  shall  be  made,  the  monies  he  shall 
receive  in  virtue  of  this  ordinance,  when  thereunto  re- 
quired by  order  of  the  Committee  of  such  Town,  or  the 
County  Committee,  or  shall  neglect  to  do  or  perform  the 
other  duties  enjoined  him  by  either  of  the  said  ordi- 
nances, sliall  pay  forty  Shillings  for  every  such  offence; 
and  every  County  Committee  shall  direct  their  Chairman 
or  deputy  Chairman  to  issue  an  order  to  such  person  or 
persons  as  they  shall  appoint  to  make  distress  and  sale 
of  the  goods  and  chatties  of  all  such  persons  who  neg- 
lect or  refuse  accounting  with  or  paying  into  the  hand  of 
such  person  or  persons  who,  in  virtue  of  this  or  the  said 
recited  ordinance,  are  or  shall  be  appointed  to  receive  the 
same,  as  well-  for  recovery  of  the  forfeitures  aforesaid,  as 
the  public  monies  detained  by  them  as  aforesaid  ;  and  in 
case  sufficient  goods  and  chattels  for  the  purposes  afore- 
said shall  not  be  found,  then  to  take  the  bodies  of  such 
delinquents,  who  shall  be  ordered  by  the  Committee  of 
the  County,  where  such  default  shall  happen,  to  be  con- 
fined in  such  safe  place  as  they  shall  appoint,  until  the 
forfeitures  and  monies  detained  as  aforesaid,  and  also  all 
charges  occurred  by  reason  thereof,  be  fully  paid. 

G.  And  it  is  further  resolved  and  directed,  Thai  all  for- 
feitures, recovered  as  aforesaid,  shall  be  laid  out  in  such 
manner  as  the  Committee  ol  the  County,  where  such  for- 
feiture is  incurred,  shall  direct. 

A  memorial  was  presented  to  this  Congress  from 
Icabod  B.  Barnett,  Esquire,  of  Elizabeth  Town,  setting 
forth  that,  in  the  month  of  March  last,  he  was  advertised 
by  the  Committee  ^f  Elizabeth  Town,  as  inimical  to  the 

liberties 


228 


liberties  of  liis  Country,  for  assisting  Messrs.  Robert  and 
John  Murray  in  landing  certain  goods  out  of  the  ship 
Beulah  ;  that  ever  before,  and  since  lauding  the  said 
goods,  he  hath  been  ready  and  willing  to  render  any 
service  to  his  Country,  on  the  present  occasion,  in  his 
power ;  and  that  he  hath  in  no  wise  contravened  the 
public  good,  except  in  that  particular  instance  for  which 
he  is  heartily  sorry,  and  prays  an  acquittal  from  his 
former  censure — and  it  appearing  to  this  Congress,  that 
the  behaviour  of  the  said  Icabod  B.  Barnett,  since  the 
above  transaction,  hath  by  no  means  been  unfriendly  to 
the  liberties  of  this  Country  ;  and  he  having  manifested 
a  suitable  penitence  for  his  behaviour  in  the  above  mat- 
ter ;  it  is  unanimously  resolved,  That  the  memoralist  ought 
to  be  restored  to  the  favourable  regard  of  his  Country, 
and  he  is  accordingly  restored  to  all  the  civil  and  com- 
mercial privileges  which  he  heretofore  enjoyed  in  this 
Colony. 

On  motion  made. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Abraham  Clark  and  Mr.  Hart  be 
added  to  the  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  and  amend 
the  draught  of  the  Militia  ordinance. 

The  Congress  adjourned  until  3  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

A'  petition  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  Middlesex 
County,  objecting  to  the  field  officers  of  the  Regiment  of 
Militia  commanded  by  Colonel  Wetherill,  and  praying 
leave  to  proceed  to  a  new  choice  of  field  officers  for  the 
said  Regiment;  was  read  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  petition  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  Hunterdon 
County,  praying  that  householders  may  be  admitted  to 
vole  at  future  elections  for  Deputies  to  serve  in  Congress  ; 
was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  Congress  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the 
Whole  House  upon  the  estimate  of  the  expence  necessary 
for  the  defence  of  this  Colony  at  this  time ;  and  also  upon 

the 


229 


the  ways  and  means  to  provide  a  fund  to  defray  the  ex- 
pences  of  the  same;  and,  after  deliberating  thereon,  Mr. 
President  resumed  the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Fisher,  Chairman 
of  the  Committee,  reported,  that  the  Committee  h  id  gone 
through  the  several  matters  to  them  referred,  and  had 
come  to  the  resolutions  following. 

1.  That  four  thousand  stand  of  arms  be  purchased  for 
the  use  of  this  Colony ;  and,  on  the  question  being  put, 
whether  the  Congress  doth  agree  to  the  same?  It  passed 
for  tliree  thousand  stand  of  arms  only  to  be  purchased. 

2.  That  ten  tons  of  gun-powder  be  purchased  for  tlie 
use  of  this  Colony  ;  to  which  the  Congress  agreed. 

3.  That  twenty  tons  of  lead  be  purchased  for  the  use  of 
this  Colony ;  to  which  the  Congress  agreed. 

4.  That  two  thousand  cartouch-boxes  be  purchased  for 
the  use  of  this  Colony ;  which,  on  the  question,  was  re- 
duced to  one  thousand  only. 

5.  That  two  medicine  chests  be  purchased  for  the  use 
of  this  Colony  ;  to  which  the  Congress  agreed. 

6.  That  eight  hundred  tents,  with  the  necessary  furni- 
ture, canteens  and  knapsacks,  be  purchased  for  the  use 
of  this  Colony;  and,  on  the  question,  it  passed  for  four 
hundred  tents,  with  the  necessary  furniture,  &c.,  to  be 
purchased. 

7.  That  one  thousand  hunting-shirts  be  purchased  for 
the  use  of  this  Colony ;  which,  on  the  question,  passed  in 
the  negative. 

8.  That  the  sum  of  one  thousand  four  hundred  Pounds 
be  appropriated  as  subsistence  money,  at  one  Shilling  per 
man  per  day.  for  the  troops  of  this  Colony  when  called 
into  actual  service;  and  until  they  arrive  at  the  place  of 
destination  ;  to  which  the  Congress  agreed. 

9.  That  tlie  sum  of  eight  thousand  five  hundred  and 
eighty-five  Pounds  be  appropriated  as  a  fund  for  the 
payment  of  the  troops  of  this  Colony  for  one  month,  when 
called  into  actual  service ;  and,  on  the  question,  whether 
this  sum,  or  the  sum  of  four  thousand  Pounds  only  be 
appropriated  ?  It  passed  unanimously  for  four  thousand 
Pounds  only. 

10.  That  four  thousand  blankets  be  purchased  for  the 
use  of  this  Colony ;  which,  on  the  question,  was  reduced 
to  two  thousand  only. 

11. 


230 


11.  That  tliesuni  of  three  hundred  Pounds  be  laid  out 
in  axes,  spades  and  entrenching  tools,  for  the  use  of  this 
Colony;  to  which  the  Congress  agreed. 

12.  That  the  sum  of  five  hundred  Pounds  be  laid  out 
in  procuring  a  train  of  artillery  for  the  use  of  this 
Colony  ;  to  which  the  Congress  agreed. 

13.  That  the  sum  of  five  hundred  Pounds  be  appropri- 
ated to  encourage  the  erection  of  salt-petre  works  in  this 
Colony ;  and,  on  the  question  being  put,  whether  this 
sum  or  the  sura  of  one  thousand  Pounds  be  appropriated 
to  this  use  ?    It  passed  for  one  thousand  Pounds. 

On  motion  made, 

Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  one  thousand  Pounds,  voted 
by  this  Congress  to  encourage  the  erecting  of  salt-petre 
works  in  this  Colony,  be  appropriated  to  the  payment  of 
a  bounty  of  one  Shilling  per  pound,  over  and  above  the 
market  price,  for  any  quantity,  not  exceeding  twenty 
thousand  pounds  weight,  of  good  merchantable  salt- 
petre, which  shall  be  made  and  manufactured  in  this 
Colony,  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  January,  1777;  Pro- 
vided, that  the  Continental  Congress  shall  not  offer  the 
like  premium  for  salt-petre  manufactured  in  any  of  the 
United  Colonies. 

On  motion  made, 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Congress,  that 
the  sum  of  thirty  thousand  Pounds  Proclamation  money, 
be  immediately  emitted  in  bills  of  credit  for  the  use  of 
this  Colony. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Fisher,  Mr.  Hart,  Mr.  Mehelm,  Mr. 
Elmer  and  Mr.  Dunham,  be  a  Committee  to  prepare  the 
draught  of  an  Ordinance  for  emitting  the  aforesaid  sum 
of  thirty  thousand  Pounds  in  bills  of  credit,  and  to  make 
a  provision  to  sink  the  same;  and  also  to  appoint  Com- 
missioners to  purchase  and  procure  the  several  articles 
enumerated  in  the  foregoing  Resolutions,  and  that  they 
report  the  same  to  this  Congress. 

The  Congress  adjourned  until  two  o'clock,  P.  M.  to- 
morrow. 

Wednesday, 


231 


Wednesday,  October  25,  1775. 


The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

A  motion  was  made  by  the  Deputies  of  the  County  of 
Salem,  and  seconded  by  the  members  of  Hunterdon,  that, 
as  soon  as  this  session  is  ended,  this  Congress  doth  dis- 
solve itself;  in  order  that  a  new  election  may  take  place 
upon  more  extensive  principles,  to  wit : 

That,  at  such  new  election,  some  householders,  or  re- 
putable single  men,  as  are  possessed  bona  fide  of  a  personal 
estate  of  the  value  of  fifty  Pounds  Proclamation  money, 
or  upwards,  and  have  been  resident  at  least  one  year  in 
the  County,  may  be  admitted  to  vote  with  those  that  are 
Freeholders : 

Ordered,  That  the  consideration  of  this  motion  be  post- 
poned until  this  Congress  shall  determine  the  petitions 
from  the  Counties  of  Hunterdon  and  Sussex,  praying 
that  householders  may  be  admitted  to  vote  at  future 
elections  : 

And  thereupon,  pursuant  to  the  order  of  the  day,  the 
Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  several  peti- 
tions from  the  Counties  of  Hunterdon  and  Sussex,  pray- 
ing that  householders  may  be  admitted  to  vote  at  future 
elections;  and,  having  duly  weighed  and  considered  the 
several  arguments  for  and  against  the  prayer  of  the 
said  petitions;  and  also  the  above  motion  of  the  Deputies 
of  the  County  of  Salem,  for  a  dissolution  of  this  Congress  : 
the  previous  question  was  put,  whether  this  Congress  will 
proceed  to  determine  the  consideration  of  the  above 
petitions  and  motion  at  this  time,  or  postpone  the  same 
to  the  next  session,  in  order  that  the  sense  of  the  Colony 
in  general  may  be  known  ? 

Resolved,  That  the  same  be  postponed  to  the  next  ses- 
sion of  this  Congress : 


Yeas — 


Bergen  County, 
Monmouth, 
Cape  May. 


Essex,  Somerset, 
Burlington,  Gloucester, 


Nays — 


232 


Nays — 


Middlesex  County, 
Hunterdon, 


Morris, 
Salem, 


Sussex. 
Cumberland. 


The  petition  from  Middlesex,  respecting  the  field  offi- 
cers of  Colonel  Wetherill's  Regiment,  was  read  a  second 
time;  and,  on  the  question  being  put,  whether  the  prayer 
of  the  said  petition  be  granted  or  not?  It  was  passed  in 
the  negative  unanimously. 

The  petition  from  several  persons  of  Captain  Harrison's 
Company  of  light  infantry,  praying  that  the  petitioners 
may  be  indulged  in  continuing  in  that  Company,  not- 
withstanding the  late  Resolution  of  Congress,  was  read  a 
second  time ;  and  it  now  appearing,  that  the  Company  in 
Nottingham,  to  which  the  petitioners  belonged,  is  united 
to  another  Company;  it  is  therefore  resolved  that  the 
prayer  of  the  said  petition  be  granted  ;  and  tliat  a  com- 
mission do  issue  to  John  Matthews,  one  of  the  Lieuten- 
ants. 

The  certificate  of  the  election  of  field  officers  for  the 
Battalion  on  the  north  side  of  Cohansie  creek,  in  Cum- 
berland County,  was  read  a  second  time ; 

Ordered,  That  commissions  do  issue  to  the  several  per- 
sons therein  named. 

Ordered,  That  commissions  do  issue  to  Captain  Thomas 
Wolverton,  and  to  the  officers  of  his  Company  of  min- 
ute-men, in  Sussex  County. 

Ordered,  That  commissions  do  issue  to  Samuel  Forman, 
Esq.,  Lieutenant  Colonel,  Elisha  Lawrence,  Esq.,  First 
Major,  and  .James  Mott,  Esq.,  Second  Major,  of  the  Second 
Regiment  of  Militia  in  the  County  of  Monmouth. 

The  Congress  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  to-morrow 
morning. 


Thursday,  October  2G,  1775. 


The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 


A 


233 


A  petition  from  tlie  Committee  of  Sussex  County,  ob- 
jecting to  the  appointment  of  John  Budd  Scott,  Esq.,  as 
First  Major  of  the  First  Regiment  of  Militia  in  tliat 
County,  and  praying  that  Mr.  Scott's  commssion  may  be 
vacated,  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  the  draught  of 
an  ordinance  for  striking  the  sum  of  thirty  thousand 
Pounds  in  bills  of  credit  for  the  use  of  this  Colony  ;  and 
to  make  a  provision  to  sink  the  same,  &c.,  reported  a 
draught  of  such  ordinance,  which  was  read,  and  ordered 
a  second  reading. 

The  following  engrossed  draught  of  the  form  of  an  ad- 
vertisement respecting  the  enlistment  of  men  for  the  two 
Battalions,  recommended  to  be  raised  in  this  Cctlony,  was 
read  and  passed. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  sent  to  the  press  as  soon  as 
possible,  and  that  two  hundred  copies  be  printed  for  the 
use  of  this  Colony. 

In  Provincial  Congress,  held  at  Trenton,  1 
THE  26th  DAY  OP  October,. 1775.  / 

Whereas  the  Honorable  Continental  Congress  have 
recommended  to  this  Congress,  That  there  be  immedi- 
ately raised,  in  this  Colony,  at  the  expence  of  the  Conti- 
nent, two  Battalions,  consisting  of  eight  companies  each, 
and  each  company  to  consist  of  sixty-eight  privates,  and 
officered  with  one  Captain,  one  Lieutenant,  one  Ensign, 
four  Sergeants  and  four  Corporals,  on  the  following  con- 
ditions. 

That  the  privates  be  enlisted  for  a  year,  at  the  rate  of 
five  dollars  per  calendar  month,  liable  to  be  discharged 
at  any  time,  on  allowing  one  month's  pay  extraordinary  ; 
that  each  of  the  privates  be  allowed,  instead  of  a  bounty, 
a  felt  hat,  a  pair  of  yarn  stockings,  and  a  pair  of  shoes — 
the  men  to  find  their  own  arms. 

That  each  Captain  and  other  commissioned  ofiicer, 
while  in  the  recruiting  service  of  this  Continent,  or  on 
their  march  to  join  the  army,  shall  be  allowed  two  dol- 
lars and  two-thirds  of  a  dollar  per  week,  for  their  subsist- 
ence ; 


234 


ence ;  and  that  the  men  who  enlist  shall,  each  of  them, 
whilst  in  quarters,  be  allowed  one  dollar  per  week,  and 
one  dollar  and  one-third  of  a  dollar  when  on  their  march 
to  join  the  army,  for  the  same  purpose. 

The  form  of  enlistment  to  be  in  the  following  words: 
"I  have  this  day  voluntarily  enlisted  myself 

as  a  soldier  in  the  American  Continental  army  for  one 
year,  unless  sooner  discharged;  and  do  bind  myself  to 
conform  in  all  instances  to  such  rules  and  regulations  as 
are  or  shall  be  established  for  the  government  of  the  said 
army." 

This  Congress,  desirous  to  carry  into  execution  the 
above  resolution  of  the  Continental  Congress,  do  resolve 
that  warrants  be  issued  to  proper  persons  for  immediately 
raising  the  said  two  Battalions,  consisting  of  eight  com- 
panies each,  and  each  company  of  sixty-eight  privates, 
and  officered  with  one  Captain,  one  Lieutenant,  one 
Ensign,  four  Sergeants  and  four  Corporals,  on  the  terms 
aforesaid  ;  which  Sergeants,  Corporals  and  privates  to  be 
enlisted,  shall  be  able-bodied  freemen :  And  it  is  further 
directed,  that  when  any  company  shall  be  enlisted,  the 
persons  having  warrants  for  raising  the  same,  shall  cause 
a  muster  to  be  had  thereof,  in  the  presence  of  either  Elias 
Dayton,  Azariah  Dunham,  Joseph  Ellis  or  Jolin  Mehelm, 
Esquires,  who  are  hereby  appointed  Muster  Masters  to 
review  the  said  companies  ;  and  if  upon  such  review  such 
Muster  Master,  who  shall  attend  for  that  purpose,  shall 
find  the  said  company  complete,  agreeable  to  the  above 
directions,  shall  thereupon  certify  the  same  on  the  back 
of  the  muster-roll  of  such  company  to  this  Congress,  or, 
in  their  recess,  to  the  Committee  of  Safety,  in  order  that 
commissions  may  be  made  out  to  the  officers  of  such 
company;  which  commissions  the  Committee  of  Safety 
of  this  Colony,  during  the  recess  of  this  Congress,  upon 
receiving  certificates  as  above,  are  required  to  make  out 
and  issue. 

And  it  is  hereby  recommended  to  the  inhabitants  of 
this  Colony,  to  be  aiding  and  assisting,  as  far  as  their 
influence  extends,  in  raising  the  aforesaid  levies. 

And  it  is  further  resolved,  That  each  muster-master  shall 

have 


235 


have  for  his  trouhle  for  reviewing  eacli  company,  such 
reward  as  this  Congress  or  Committee  of  Safety  shall 
judge  proper  for  his  service,  which  the  Treasurer  of  this 
Colony  for  the  time  being,  appointed  by  Congress,  shall 
pay  out  of  the  bills  of  credit  to  be  issued  by  direction  of 
this  Congress,  upon  an  order  or  orders  to  him  produced 
from  this  Congress  or  Committee  of  Safety. 

By  order  of  the  Congress. 

Samuel  Tucker, 

President. 

Attested, 

John  Carey,  Sec. 

The  Congress  adjourned  till  9  o'clock,  to-morrow 
morning. 

Friday,  October  27,  1775. 
The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

The  petition  from  the  Committee  of  Sussex,  respecting 
Mr.  Scott's  commission,  &c.,  was  read  a  second  time : 

Resolved  unanimously,  By  all  the  Counties  except  Sussex, 
which  was  excused  from  voting  on  this  occasion,  that  Mr. 
Scott's  commission  be  confirmed. 

On  motion  made, 

Ordered,  That  commissions  do  issue  to  the  field  officers, 
and  the  officers  of  the  eleven  companies  of  the  north- 
west regiment  of  Militia  in  the  County  of  Morris,  when 
it  shall  be  made  to  appear  to  this  Congress  that  a  Colonel 
hath  been  elected  in  the  room  of  Mr.  Winds,  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  Colonel  of  the  battalion  of  minute-men 
in  that  County. 

On  motion  made, 

Ordered,  That  commissions  do  issue  to  the  field  officers, 
and  the  officers  of  the  eleven  companies  of  the  north- 
west regiment  of  Militia  in  the  County  of  Morris,  when 
it  shall  be  made  to  appear  to  this  Congress  that  a  Colonel 

hath 


236 


hath  been  elected  in  the  room  of  Mr.  Winds,  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  Colonel  of  the  battalion  of  minute-men  in 
that  County. 

On  motion  made, 

Ordered,  That  commissions  do  issue  to  Matthias  Wil- 
liamson, Esq.,  Colonel,  Samuell  Tuthill,  Esq.,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel,  and  Jacobus  Post,  Esq.,  Major  of  the  regiment 
of  light  horse  in  the  eastern  division  of  this  Colony. 

The  Committee  to  whom  the  Militia  ordinance  was 
referred,  reported  a  draught  of  the  same,  with  amend- 
ments, which  was  read,  paragraph  by  paragraph,  and 
debated ; 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  engrossed. 

The  Congress  adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

The  following  letter  from  the  honorable  the  Conti- 
nental Congress,  was  presented  and  read  : 

Philadelphia,  October  25,  1775. 

Gentlemen: — The  Congress  have  taken  into  consider- 
ation your  letters  of  the  13th  and  14th  instant,  and,  in 
answer  thereto,  I  am  directed  to  inform  you,  that  the 
Congress  are  of  opinion  the  public  service  makes  it 
necessary  that  the  Jersey  battalions  be  levied  with  all 
possible  expedition ;  but  as  the  Congress  are  awaiting 
the  return  of  their  Committee  from  camp,  in  order  to 
establish  permanent  regulations  for  all  Continental  forces, 
they,  for  the  present,  incline  to  suspend  a  determination 
on  the  question  about  the  appointment  of  regimental 
field  officers. 

The  public  exigencies  will  not  admit  of  loans  from  the 
Continental  Treasury  to  any  Colonies — the  Congress 
however  hope,  that  this  will  not  disable  you  from  sup- 
plying yourselves  with  arms  and  ammunition  ;  in  doing 
which,  it  is  not  doubted  you  will  fall  upon  such  means 

as 


237 


as  will  be  most  for  the  ease  and  safety  of  the  Colony,  * 

From  some  exp^'essions  in  your  letter  of  the  14th  in- 
stant, the  Congress  apprehend  it  is  the  intention  of  your 
Convention  to  take  into  constant  pay  4000  minute  men  ; 
but  as  this  will  be  a  very  heavy  expence,  and  more,  we 
think,  than  any  one  Colony  can  afford,  we  hope  you  will 
weigh  and  consider  such  a  measure  before  you  adopt  it. 
With  respect  to  provision  for  minute-men,  the  Congress 
have  made  none;  conceiving  that  the  several  Colonies 
will  make  proper  provision  for  them,  where  such  pro- 
vision is  necessary,  or  where  they  are  called  into  actual 
service,  except  when  they  are  taken  into  Continental 
service,  in  which  case  they  will  be  entitled  to  the  same 
pay  as  the  other  Continental  Troops. 
I  am,  gentlemen. 

Your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

John  Hancock, 

President. 

To  the  members  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New 
Jersey. 

A  copy  of  a  petition  from  Mr.  Thomas  Lowrey,  to  the 
Continental  Congress,  praying  that  he  may  be  appointed 
Commissary  to  the  two  battalions  recommended  to  be 
raised  in  this  Colony,  was  presented  and  read;  and  Mr. 
Lowrey  having  requested  that  this  Congress  would  be 
pleased  to  recommend  him  to  the  Continental  Congress, 
as  a  fit  person  for  such  appointment ;  and  the  question 
being  put,  whether  this  Congress  will  comply  with  the 
prayer  of  Mr.  Lowrey's  request  or  not?  It  passed  in  the 
affirmative. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  President  do  sign  an  attested  copy 
of  this  minute,  and  transmit  the  same  to  Mr.  Lowrey. 

The  Ordinance  for  striking  the  sum  of  thirty  thousand 
pounds  in  bills  of  credit,  foi;  the  use  of  this  Colony,  and 
to  make  provision  to  sink  the  same,  &c.,  was  read  a  sec- 
ond time,  and  debated; 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  engrossed. 

The 


238 


The  Congress  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  to-morrow 
morning. 

Saturday,  October  28,  1775. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

The  following  engrossed  Ordinance,  for  the  further 
regulation  of  the  Militia  forces  of  this  Colony,  was  read, 
compared  and  approved  : 

Whereas  the  Ordinances  of  the  late  Provincial  Con- 
gress, for  regulating  the  Militia  of  this  Colony,  have  been 
found  insufficient  to  answer  the  good  purposes  intended  ; 
and  it  appearing  to  be  essentially  necessary  that  some 
further  regulations  be  adopted  at  this  time  of  imminent 
danger. 

1.  It  is  therefore  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  each  and 
every  Captain  in  this  Colony,  within  ten  days  after  the 
publication  hereof,  shall  make  out  a  list  of  all  persons 
residing  in  his  district  capable  of  bearing  arms,  between 
the  ages  of  sixteen  and  fifty  years,  who,  by  the  first  Mili- 
tary Ordinance  of  a  former  Congress,  were  advised  or  re- 
quested to  enrol  themselves  by  signing  a  muster-roll 
therein  mentioned,  such  persons  only  excepted  whose 
religious  principles  will  not  suffer  them  to  bear  arms, 
who  are  hereby  particularly  exempted  therefrom  ;  a  copy 
of  which  list  each  Captain  respectively,  within  ten  days 
after  completing  the  same,  shall  deliver  to  the  Colonel  of 
the  Regiment  to  which  he  shall  belong,  and  such  Colonel 
shall  make  return  thereof  to  the  Brigadier  General  of 
the  division  to  which  he  shall  belong;  and  also  transmit 
a  duplicate  thereof  to  the  Provincial  Congress  at  their 
next  sitting.  And  the  respective  Captains  shall  also 
make  out  exact  lists  of  all  such  persons  residing  in  their 
several  districts  capable  of  bearing  arms,  between  the 
ages  of  sixteen  and  fifty  years,  whose  religious  principles 
will  not  suffer  them  to  bear  arms;  which  lists  the  said 
Captains  shall  lay  before  the  Committee  of  the  County  to 
which  they  belong. 


239 


2.  And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  every  person  above 
directed  to  enrol  himself  by  signinfr  a  muster-roll,  shall 
bear  arms,  attend  musters,  and  in  all  things  be  conform- 
able to  the  rules  and  orders  hereinafter  mentioned;  and 
shall,  with  all  convenient  speed,  furnish  himself  with  a 
good  musket  or  firelock,  and  bayonet,  sword  or  toma- 
hawk, a  steel  ramrod,  worm,  priming  wire  and  brush 
fitted  thereto,  a  cartouch-box  to  contain  twenty-three 
rounds  of  cartridges,  twelve  flints  and  a  knapsack,  agree- 
able to  the  direction  of  the  Continental  Congress,  under 
the  forfeiture  of  two  shillings  for  the  want  of  a  musket 
or  firelock,  and  of  one  shilling  for  the  want  of  the  other 
above  enumerated  articles. 

3.  And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  every  person  directed 
to  be  enrolled  as  above,  shall,  at  his  place  of  abode,  be 
also  provided  with  one  pound  of  powder,  and  three 
pounds  of  bullets  of  proper  size  to  his  musket  or  firelock. 

4^.  And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  each 
whole  company  of  Militia  do  assemble  at  least  once 
every  month,  properly  accoutered  as  aforesaid,  at  such 
place  as  the  Captain,  or  commanding  officer  of  such 
company  shall  direct,  and  shall  spend  the  whole  day  in 
perfecting  themselves  in  the  military  exercises  ;  and  that 
a  general  muster  or  review  be  had  of  each  regiment 
three  times  in  every  year,  at  such  times  and  places  as 
the  field  officers  of  each  regiment  shall  think  proper  to 
appoint. 

6.  Arid  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  in  case 
any  person  shall  refuse  or  neglect  to  serve  as  a  sergeant 
or  corporal  in  any  company,  being  thereunto  requested 
by  the  Captain  or  commanding  officer,  or  shall  refuse  or 
neglect  to  warn  the  men  to  appear  under  arms  when  re- 
quired by  the  Captain  or  commanding  officer,  such  ser- 
geant or  corporal,  shall  for  every  such  neglect  or  refusal, 
forfeit  the  sum  of  twelve  Shillings. 

t>'.  And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  all 
officers  commissioned,  by  this  or  the  former  Congress,  do 
subscribe  the  following  declaration,  to  wit : 

We,  the  subscribers,  the  officers  of  one  of  the  regi- 
ments in  the  County  of  and  Colony  of  New 
Jersey,  do  hereby  promise  and  engage,  under  all  the  ties 

of 


240 


of  religion,  honor  and  regard  to  our  Country,  that  we 
will,  respectively,  duly  observe,  and  carry  into  execution, 
to  the  utmost  of  our  power,  all  and  every  the  orders, 
resolves  and  recommendations  made,  or  to  be  made,  by 
the  Provincial  Congress  of  this  Colony,  for  defending 
our  Constitution,  and  preserving  the  same  inviolate;  and 
that  we  will  also  render  due  obedience  to  such  officers, 
who  either  by  rank  or  superiority,  are  regularly  placed 
above  us.  VVhich  declaration  shall  be  laid  before  the 
next  sitting  of  the  Provincial  Congress. 

7.  And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  fol- 
lowing penalties  be  inflicted  on  those  who  do  not  attend 
and  obey  orders  on  the  days  appointed  for  general  mus- 
ters and  reviews,  to  wit,  a  Colonel  six  Pounds,  a  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  five  Pounds,  a  Major  four  Pounds,  a 
Captain  three  Pounds,  Lieutenants,  Ensigns  and  Adju- 
tants two  Pounds  each.  Sergeants,  Corporals,  drummers, 
fifers  and  privates,  directed  to  be  enrolled  as  aforesaid,  ten 
Shillings  each,  for  each  and  every  default.  And  that 
there  shall  be  inflicted  on  those  who  do  not  attend  pro- 
perly accoutered  as  abovesaid,  and  obey  orders,  on  the 
times  to  be  appointed  tor  the  meeting  of  the  companies, 
at  least  once  every  month,  to  wit,  a  Captain  tiiirty  Shil- 
lings, Lieutenants  and  Ensigns  twenty  Shillings  each, 
Sergeants,  Corporals,  drummers,  fifers  and  privates  four 
Shillings  each,  for  each  and  every  default.  Provided 
alwa3^s,  that  reasonable  excuses  shall  be  admitted  for 
delinquents  non-attendance,  by  those  persons  who  are  to 
issue  the  warrants  of  distress. 

8.  And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  all  fines, 
under  the  degree  of  a  Captain,  shall  be  levied  on  the 
goods  and  chattels  of  the  offenders,  by  warrant  from  the 
Captain  directed  to  a  Sergeant  of  his  company ;  and 
those  of  field  officers  and  Captains,  under  the  degree  of 
Colonel,  to  be  levied  on  the  goods  and  chattels  of  the 
offender,  by  a  warrant  from  the  Colonel  of  the  regiment 
directed  to  the  Adjutant;  and  those  of  a  Colonel,  by  a 
warrant  from  a  Brigadier  General,  directed  to  a  Major  of 
the  regiment  to  which  such  delinquent  or  delinquents 
belong. 

9.  Atid  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the 

several 


241 


several  officers  and  persons  to  whom  warrants  of  distress 
shall  be  directed,  shall,  upon  receipt  thereof,  immediately 
levy  the  several  fines  and  forfeitures  therein  mentioned, 
under  tlie  forfeiture  of  forty  Shillings  for  every  neglect 
in  levying  the  same,  to  be  recovered  by  a  warrant  under 
the  hand  of  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the 
County  where  such  neglect  shall  happen,  directed  to 
such  person  or  persons  as  such  Committee  shall  appoint 
for  that ;  and  every  Sergeant  shall  levy  upon  each  delin- 
quent, in  the  warrant  to  him  directed,  the  sum  of  one 
Shilling  over  and  above  the  penalty  laid  in  such  warrant, 
which  he  is  to  keep  and  detain  as  a  reward  for  his  trouble ; 
and  each  Major  or  Adjutant  shall  receive  for  each  dis- 
tress by  them  made,  the  sum  of  five  Shillings,  which  he 
is  to  levy  as  abovesaid.  And  the  fines  and  forfeitures 
aforesaid  levied  by  a  Sergeant,  when  recovered,  shall  be 
paid  to  the  Captain  issuing  such  warrant,  to  be  by  him 
laid  out  in  supplying  such  of  his  company  with  arms  as 
are  not  able  to  furnish  themselves  therewith  ;  and  shall 
render  to  the  Committee  of  the  County,  in  which  he  re- 
sides, a  true  account  of  all  such  fines  and  forfeitures  by 
him  received,  and  his  disbursements  out  of  the  same, 
agreeable  to  the  above  directions,  when  he  shall  be  there- 
unto required  by  said  Committee;  and  in  case  any  of 
such  fines  and  forfeitures  shall  remain  in  such  Captain's 
hands  for  the  space  of  two  months  not  laid  out  as  afore- 
said, he  shall  then  pay  the  same  to  such  Committee,  to 
be  by  them  laid  out  as  above  directed  ;  and  all  fines 
recovered  fjom  any  officer  or  officers,  above  the  degree 
of  Lieutenant,  shall  be  immediately  paid  into  the  hands 
of  the  County  Committee,  to  be  by  them  laid  out  in  such 
manner  as  they  shall  judge  most  serviceable  for  the  com- 
mon defence  of  the  Colony. 

10.  And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  if  this 
Colony  shall  be  alarmed  or  invaded  by  an  armed  force, 
then,  and  in  such  case,  every  subaltern  and  soldier  so 
enrolled,  or  directed  to  be  enrolled  as  aforesaid  ;  and  also 
each  minute  man  raised,  or  which  may  then  be  raised', 
is  hereby  requested  immediately  to  repair,  properly 
armed  and  accoutered,  to  his  Captain's  residence,  unless 
otherwise  ordered;  and  the  Captain,  or  commanding 

officer 

17  • 


242 


oificer  of  the  company  nearest  to  tlie  place  wliere  sucli 
alarm  or  invasion  shall  happen,  shall  immediately  march 
his  company  to  oppose  the  enemy ;  and  at  the  same  time 
send  an  express  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  Regi- 
ment to  which  he  belongs,  who  is  to  march  with  the 
whole,  or  part  of  the  forces  under  his  command,  as  he, 
before  receiving  orders  from  one  of  the  general  officers, 
shall  judge  necessary,  in  order  to  prevent  the  enemy  from 
landing  or  penetrating  into  any  part  of  the  country  ;  and 
at  the  same  time  shall  send  an  express  to  some  one  of  the 
general  officers  nearest  to  him,  informing  him  of  the  in- 
telligence he  hath  received  of  such  an  alarm  or  invasion  ; 
and,  during  tlie  times  of  such  invasion  or  alarm,  the  offi- 
cers and  soldiers  abovesaid,  shall  be  subject  to  a  court- 
martial,  under  the  same  rules  and  orders  as  directed  and 
ordered  by  the  Continental  Congress  of  the  associated 
Colonies,  held  at  Philadelphia  on  the  tenth  day  of  May 
last,  for  the  better  government  of  the  Continental  troops. 

11.  Provided  ahvays,  and  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Di- 
rected, That  no  pains  and  penalties,  imposed  by  a  court- 
martial,  shall  extend  to  the  taking  life  or  member  of  any 
delinquent  offender  who  shall  be  called  out  as  aforesaid. 

IS.  And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  every 
person  between  the  ages  of  sixteen  and  fifty  years,  capa- 
ble of  bearing  arms  as  aforesaid,  who  shall  come  from 
any  of  the  neighboring  Provinces  into  this  Colony,  shall, 
within  two  weeks  after  his  arrival,  enrol  himself  in  the 
company  of  the  place  where  such  person  may  chance  to 
reside,  and  attend  musters,  as  before  directed  for  the 
Militia ;  and,  in  case  of  neglect  or  refusal,  shall  be  sub- 
ject to  the  same  fines  and  forfeitures. 

13.  And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the 
officers  and  minute-men,  now  formed  into  ccnnpanies  or 
Battalions,  or  such  as  shall  be  so  formed  hereafter,  shall 
observe  the  same  rules,  orders  and  directions,  f»s  to  attend- 
ing musters,  and  learning  the  military  discipline;  and  be 
subject  to  the  same  fines  and  penalties  for  non-attendance, 
as  before  directed  for  the  Militia,  and  to  be  recovered  in 
like  manner. 

14-.  And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,_  That  the 
minute-men,  when  called  out  to  the  assistance  of  a 

neighbouring 

f 


243 


neighbouring  Colony,  shall  be  subject  to  the  articles  of 
war  establislied  by  the  Continental  Congress,  and  be 
under  the  direction  of  their  own  officers,  unless  a  Conti- 
nental officer  of  superior  rank  be  present,  to  whom,  in 
such  case,  they  are  to  yield  due  subordination. 

16.  And  whereas,  several  companies  of  light-horse  have 
been  raised  in  this  Colony ;  and  as  it  is  probable  that 
more  may  be  raised  hereafter.  It  is  therefore  Resolved  and 
Directed,  That  each  company  of  light-horse  do  not  exceed 
forty  privates,  and  that  one  company  only  be  allowed  to 
be  raised  in  each  County;  and  that  each  Regiment  be 
commanded  by  a  Colonel,  Lieutenant  Colonel,  and  Major, 
who  are  to  be  subject  to  the  command  of  the  Brigadier 
Generals  of  this  Colony,  the  Provincial  Congress  or  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  ;  and  that  such  Regiments  of  horse  shall 
be  under  the  same  regulations,  as  to  the  times  of  muster 
and  learning  of  the  military  discipline,  as  before  directed 
for  the  foot  Militia  by  this  Ordinance,  and  subject  to  the 
same  fines  and  penalties  for  non-attendance ;  which  fines 
and  penalties  are  to  be  recovered  in  manner  aforesaid  ; 
and  that  the  officers  of  each  Regiment  of  horse  take  equal 
rank  with  the  Militia  officers  of  foot,  holding  similar  com- 
missions of  the  same  date. 

16.  And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  each 
and  every  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  Colony,  between  the 
ages  of  sixteen  and  fifty  years,  whose  religious  principles 
will  not  suffer  them  to  bear  arms  as  above  directed,  shall 
as  an  equivalent  thereto,  and  also  in  lieu  of  all  future 
voluntary  contributions  for  public  and  benevolent  uses, 
as  recommended  by  Congress,  pay  into  the  hands  of  the 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  County  where  they 
reside,  the  sum  of  four  shillings  per  month  for  such  ex- 
emption ;  and  in  case  they,  or  either  of  them,  shall  neg- 
lect or  refuse  to  pay  the  same,  that  then,  upon  such  neglect 
or  refusal,  such  Committee  once  every  three  months,  shall, 
and  are  hereby  required  and  enjoined  to  issue  a  warrant 
of  distress,  under  the  hand  of  their  Chairman  or  Deputy 
Chairman  dii-ected  to  such  person  or  persons  as  they 
shall  appoint  for  that  purpose,  requiring  distress  to  be 
made  on  the  goods  and  chattels  of  every  such  delin- 
quent; and  that  the  same  be  sold  at  public  vendue,  giv- 
ing 


244 


ing  five  days  notice  thereof  by  advertisement ;  and,  out 
of  the  money  arising  by  such  sale,  to  pay  to  tlie  Chair- 
man of  such  Committee  the  money  then  due  from  every 
such  delinquent,  returning  the  overplus,  if  any  to  the 
owner  thereof,  after  detaining  one  shilling  and  sixpence 
for  every  such  distress  and  sale;  and  in  case  any  person 
or  persons  aforesaid,  under  age,  shall  make  default  in 
paying  their  equivalent  as  aforesaid,  the  same,  by  order 
of  such  Committee,  shall  be  demanded  of  the  parent, 
master  or  person  whose  care  such  delinquents  are  under; 
and,  upon  their  refusal  or  neglect  to  pay,  the  same  shall 
be  recovered  by  distress  and  sale  as  aforesaid  of  such  de- 
linquent's parent,  master  or  other  person  whose  care  he 
or  they  are  under;  and  the  County  Committees  respect- 
ively are  also  hereby  enjoined  and  required,  once  every 
six  months,  to  pay  unto  either  of  the  Treasurers  of  this 
Colony,  for  the  time  being,  appointed  by  this  Congress, 
all  such  sum  and  sums  of  money  as  they  may  receive  as 
abovesaid,  to  be  applied  as  a  Provincial  Fund  to  such 
uses  and  purposes  as  this  or  a  future  Congress  shall  judge 
the  exigencies  of  the  times  may  require. 

17.  Provided  always,  and  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed, 
That  every  person  above  directed  and  required  to  pay  an 
equivalent  for  the  above  exemptions,  shall  be  excused 
from  paying  such  equivalent  every  time  he  shall  make 
it  appear  to  the  Committee  of  the  County  where  he 
resides,  that  he  was  sick  or  unable  to  attend  musters  at 
the  time  when  the  Company,  in  the  district  he  lives  in, 
shall  attend  their  monthly  exercises;  or  shall  make  it 
appear  he  was  at  that  time  out  of  the  Province,  or  neces- 
sarily engaged  in  the  public  business  of  the  Colony. 

18.  And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  in  case  any  person 
or  persons  shall  think  him  or  themselves  aggrieved  by  a 
distress  made  for  their  fines  and  forfeitures  as  aforesaid, 
such  person  or  persons  may,  within  two  months  there- 
after, appeal  to  the  Committee  of  the  Township  or  Com- 
mittee of  the  County  in  which  he  or  they  shall  reside,  which 
Committee  shall  take  the  same  into  consideration;  and, 
in  case  they  find  any  such  appellant  aggrieved,  shall 
order  suitable  redress,  by  directing  the  money  recovered 
of  him  or  them,  or  such  part  thereof  as  they  think  proper, 

to 


245 


to  be  returned  by  tlie  Captain  or  other  officer  who  issued 
the  warrant  of  distress,  who  is  hereby  required  to  return 
the  same  accordingly ;  or  in  case  the  goods  distrained  are  . 
not  sold,  the  Conmiittee  then  may  give  such  order  therein 
as  to  tliem  may  seem  just  and  right,  conforming  them- 
selves in  such  decisions,  as  near  as  may  be,  to  the  true 
intent  and  meaning  of  this  Ordinance. 

Whereupon  the  question  being  put,  whether  the  afore- 
said Ordinance  do  pass  this  Congress  or  not?  It  was 
carried  in  the  affirmative. 

On  motion  made,  it  is  ordered,  That  the  rules  laid 
down  by  the  Continental  Congress,  for  the  regulation  of 
the  army  of  the  United  Colonies,  be  printed  with  the 
above  Militia  Ordinance. 

On  motion  made. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  gentlemen  be  recom- 
mended by  this  Congress  to  the  Honourable  the  Conti- 
nental Congress,  as  proper  persons  for  field  officers  of  the 
two  Battalions  to  be  raised  in  this  Colony  ;  to  wit: 

Lord  Stirling,  Colonel.  ^ 

William  Winds,  Lieut.  Col.  >For  the  Eastern  Battalion. 
William  De  Hart,  Major.  J 

William  Maxwell,  Col.  ^ 

Israel  Shreive,  Lieut.  Col.  V  For  the  Western  Battalion. 
David  Ray,  Major.  j 

Ordered,  That  the  President  do  sign  an  attested  copy 
of  this  Resolution,  and  transmit  the  same  to  the  Conti- 
nental Congress. 

On  motion  made, 

Resolved,  That  commissions  be  certified,  signed  by  the 
President,  and  delivered  to  the  members  of  this  Congress 
for  the  distant  Counties,  to  be  by  them  filled  up  and 
delivered  to  the  respective  officers,  upon  proper  certifi- 
cates, from  the  County  Committee,  that  such  respective 

officers 


246 


officers  have  been  duly  elected,  according  to  the  Ordi- 
nance of  this  Congress;  which  certificate  is  to  be  returned 
to  this  Congress  at  their  next  sitting,  or  to  the  Commit- 
tee of  Safety. 

On  motion  made, 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  a  commission  of  Second 
Brigadier  General  of  the  Militia  forces  of  this  Colony  do 
immediately  issue  to  William  Livingston,  Esquire. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary,  Colonel  Ellis,  and  Colonel 
Maxwell,  be  a  Committee  to  wait  on  Mr.  Livingston,  at 
Mrs.  Stell's  and  present  him  with  the  above  commission. 

Whereupon  the  Committee  withdrew,  and  having  re- 
turned to  their  seats,  reported,  that  they  had  presented 
the  said  commission  to  Mr.  Livingston,  who  had  received 
the  same  in  a  polite  manner,  and  desired  that  his  thanks 
might  be  returned  to  this  Congress. 

The  Congress  adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Major  Ephraim  Anderson  having  thought  proper  to 
resign  his  commission  of  First  Major  of  the  First  Regi- 
ment of  the  Hunterdon  Militia  ; 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  his  resignation  be  accepted. 

The  following  engrossed  Ordinance  for  striking  the 
sum  of  thirty  thousand  Pounds  in  bills  of  credit,  for  the 
use  of  this  Colony,  and  to  make  a  provision  to  sink  the 
same,  &c.,  was  read,  compared  and  approved  : 

Whereas,  it  appears  essentially  necessary,  at  this  time 
of  increasing  danger,  that  the  inhabitants  of  this  Colony 
should  be  furnished  with  ammunition  and  other  military 
stores,  and  that  this  Colony  should  be  put  into  some 
proper  posture  of  defence. 

It  is  therefore  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  Messrs.  Samuel 
Tucker,  Abraham  Hunt,  Joseph  Ellis  and  Alexander 
Chambers  be,  and  they  are  hereby  appointed  Commis- 
sioners for  the  Western  Division ;  and  that  Hendrick 

Fisher, 


247  • 

Fisher,  Azariah  Dunham,  Abraham  Clark,  and  Samuel 
Potter  be,  and  they  are  hereby  appointed  Commissioners 
for  tlie  Eastern  Division  of  this  Colony  ;  which  said  Com- 
missioners, or  the  major  part  of  them,  are  hereby  author- 
ized and  directed  to  receive  of  the  Treasurers  of  this 
Colony,  for  the  time  being,  appointed  by  this  Congress, 
or  either  of  them,  all  such  sum  or  sums  of  money  as  they 
shall,  from  time  to  time,  find  necessary  to  expend  for  the 
use  of  this  Colony,  pursuant  to  the  resolutions  hereinafter 
mentioned. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  said 
Commissioners  be,  and  they  are  hereby  authorized  and 
directed  to  contract  with  artificers  for,  or  otherwise  pur- 
chase three  thousand  stand  of  arms,  at  any  price  not  ex- 
ceeding three  Pounds  seven  Shillings  each  stand  ;  and 
also  to  purchase  ten  tons  of  gun-powder,  twenty  tons  of 
lead,. one  thousand  cartouch-boxes,  at  any  price  not  ex- 
ceeding nine  shillings  each  ;  a  quantity  of  flints,  brushes, 
priming  wire  and  cartridge  paper,  not  exceeding  one 
hundred  Pounds  in  value;  two  chests  of  medicine,  not 
exceeding  three  hundred  Pounds  in  value,  four  hundred 
tents,  with  camp  equipage,  &c.,  not  exceeding  one  thou- 
sand eight  hundred  and  seventy  Pounds  in  value  ;  two 
thousand  blankets,  not  exceeding  one  thousand  five  hun- 
dred Pounds  in  value;  a  number  of  axes,  spades  and 
other  entrenching  tools,  not  exceeding  three  hundred 
Pounds  in  value;  and  a  train  of  artillery,  not  exceeding 
five  hundred  Pounds  in  value. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  said 
Commissioners  do  supply  the  troops  of  this  Colony,  when 
called  to  action  in  this  or  any  of  the  neighbouring  Colo- 
nies, with  one  month's  subsistence,  at  one  shilling  per 
day  per  man,  or  provisions  to  that  amount,  if  necessary  : 
Provided,  that  the  expence  of  such  subsistence  doth  not 
exceed  the  sum  of  one  thousand  four  hundred  Pounds  in 
value;  and  one  month's  pay  for  the  troops  of  this  Colony, 
when  called  into  actual  service:  Provided  that  the  Con- 
tinental Congress  do  not  make  provision  for  the  same  ; 
and  provided  also,  that  the  pay  of  such  troops  doth  not 
exceed  the  sum  of  four  thousand  Pounds  in  value. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  Trea- 
surers 


•  248 

surers  of  this  Colony  be,  and  they  are  hereby  required 
and  enjoined  to  pay  to  the  said  Commissioners,  or  the 
major  part  of  them,  or  to  their  order,  all  such  sum  or 
sums  of  money  as  they  may  find  necessary  to  expend  for 
the  purposes  aforesaid  ;  and  the  receipt  or  receipts  from  the 
said  Commissioners,  or  a  major  part  of  them,  shall  be 
sufficient  vouchers  and  discharges  to  the  said  Treasurers, 
or  either  of  them,  their  executors  and  administrators,  for 
all  monies  by  them  paid  pursuant  to  this  ordinace. 

And  whereas  it  is  absolutely  necessary  to  provide  a 
fund  for  defraying  the  above  expence,  it  is  therefore  Re- 
solved and  Directed,  That  bills  of  credit,  to  the  amount  of 
thirty  thousand  Pounds  Proclamation  money,  be  imme- 
dately  prepared,  printed,  and  made  as  follows,  to  wit: 
Five  thousand  seven  hundred  bills,  each  of  the  value  of 
three  Pounds;  six  thousand  bills,  each  of  the  value  of 
one  Pound  ten  Sliillings;  four  thousand  bills,  each  of  the 
value  of  fifteen  Shillings;  and  three  thousand  bills,  each 
of  the  value  of  six  Shillings ;  which  bills  shall  be  in  the 
form  following,  to  wit : 

This  bill,  by  an  Ordinance  of  the  Provincial  Congress, 
shall  pass  current  in  all  payments  within  the  Colony  of 
New  Jersey,  for  Proclamation  money. 

Dated  the  day  of  1775. 

And  shall  be  impressed  with  such  devices  as  the  in- 
spectors of  the  press  hereinafter  appointed  shall  direct; 
and,  when  printed,  shall  be  delivered  to  Hendrick  Fisher 
and  Azariah  Dunham,  Esquires,  of  the  Eastern  Division, 
and  to  John  Hart  and  John  Carey,  Esquires,  of  the  West- 
ern Division,  four  of  the  signers  tliereof,  in  equal  moities  ; 
one  moiety  to  be  signed  by  the  Treasurer  and  signers  of 
the  Eastern  Division  ;  and  the  other  moiety  by  the  Treas- 
urer and  signers  of  the  Western  Division.  And  the  said 
signers  are  hereby  authorized  and  required,  upon  deliv- 
ery of  the  said  bills  by  the  printer  thereof,  to  administer 
to  him,  and  he  is  hereby  directed  and  required  to  take 
an  oath  or  affirmation,  in  the  following  words  : 

I,  A  B,  do  dechire,  that,  from  the  time  the  letters  were 
set  and  fit  to  be  put  into  the  press  for  the  printing  the  bills 
of  credit  now  by  me  delivered,  until  the  same  bills  were 
printed  and  the  letters  unset  and  put  into  the  boxes  again, 


249 


I  went  at  no  time  out  of  the  room  in  which  the  said  letters 
were  without  locking  them  up  so  as  they  could  not  be 
come  at  without  violence,  a  false  key,  or  other  art  then 
unknown  to  me;  and  therefore,  to  tlie  best  of  my  know- 
ledge, no  copies  were  printed  off  but  in  my  presence; 
and  that  all  the  blotters  and  other  papers  whatsoever 
printed  by  the  said  letters,  while  set  for  printing  the  said 
bills,  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge,  are  here  delivered,  to- 
gether with  the  stamps  for  the  indents  and  devices;  and 
that  I  have  not  at  any  time  been  privy  or  consenting  to 
any  other  or  more  bills  being  struck  than  I  now  deliver; 
and  that  in  all  things  relating  to  this  affair,  I  have  de- 
meaned myself  according  to  the  true  intent  and  mean- 
ing of  the  Ordinance,  by  virtue  whereof  this  money  is 
printed,  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge  and  understanding. 
Which  printer,  at  the  time  he  is  ordered  to  print  the 
said  bills,  shall  have  a  copy  of  this  oath  or  affirmation, 
that  he  may  govern  himself  accordingly.  Provided  always, 
That,  if  any  accident  has  happened,  he  may  have  the 
liberty  of  making  an  exception  thereof  in  his  oath  or 
affirmation,  he  declaring  fully  how  it  was. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  bills 
made  current  by  this  Ordinance  shall  be  nearly  the  size 
and  likeness  of  the  bills  now  current  in  this  Colony,  and 
shall  be  signed  and  numbered  by  the  respective  persons 
hereinbefore  appointed  signers  thereof;  and  in  case  of 
their,  or  either  of  their  deaths,  or  other  disability,  then 
Joseph  Hugg  of  the  Western  Division,  and  John  Coven- 
hoven  of  the  Eastern  Division,  are  hereby  appointed 
signers  of  the  said  bills;  and  one  half  of  tliem  shall  be 
delivered  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Eastern  Division  of  this 
Colony  appointed  by  this  Ordinance,  to  be  by  him 
signed  ;  and  the  other  half  siiall  be  delivered  to  the  Treas- 
urer of  the  Western  Division,  to  be  by  him  signed  ;  and, 
in  case  of  refusal  or  disability  of  either  of  the  said  Treas- 
urers, then  any  three  of  the  persons  nominated  in  this 
Ordinance  as  signers  are  to  sign  the  same. 

And,  in  order  that  the  said  bills  may  be  numbered  and 
signed  with  the  less  charge  and  risk,  and  with  the  most 
ease  and  expedition,  the  said  signers  are  to  observe  the 
directions  following,  to  wit : 

First, 


250 


First,  Before  the  said  signers  do  receive  any  of  the 
said  bills  they  shall  each  of  tliera  take  an  oath,  or  affirma- 
tion if  Quakers,  before  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  for  the  true 
signing  of  the  said  bills  of  credit;  and  that  they  v/ill 
sign  no  more,  or  other  bills,  than  by  this  Ordinance  is 
directed  ;  and  that,  to  the  best  of  their  skill,  they  will 
perform  what,  by  this  Ordinance,  they  are  enjoined  as 
their  duty.  A  certificate  of  which  oath  or  affirmation  is 
to  be  signed  by  the  Justice,  and  the  deponents  or  affirm- 
ants to  he  delivered  to  the  Treasurers  with  the  bills  when 
signed  by  them. 

Secondly,  On  receiving  the  bills  from  the  printer,  the 
said  signers  shall  burn  and  destroy  the  blotters,  and  they 
shall  divide  the  fair  bills  so  received  into  two  equal 
parts,  and,  to  avoid  confusion,  shall  agree  betwixt  them- 
selves how  the  parts  of  each  shall  be  numbered;  and  the 
signers  for  the  Eastern  Division  shall  take  the  stamps 
for  the  escutcheons,  and  the  signers  for  the  Weste.  n 
Division  shall  take  the  stamps  for  the  arms 

Thirdly,  Each  of  the  signers  may  then  carry  his  part 
to  his  own  house,  there  to  be  numbered  and  signed  by 
him  with  all  possible  expedition  ;  which,  or  such  part  as 
is  then  necessary,  being  done,  they  shall  meet  at  a  day 
and  place  by  them  to  be  appointed,  and  agreed  on,  and 
each  deliver  the  part  numbered  and  signed  by  him  to 
the  other,  in  order  for  him  to  sign  the  same  ;  and  they 
shall  then  together  burn  and  destroy  the  bills,  if  any  be, 
over  and  above  the  number  hereby  appointed  to  be  issued, 
and  in  like  manner  shall  do,  from  time  to  time,  until  all 
are  signed  and  exchanged. 

Fourthly,  Each  of  the  said  signers  may  then  carry  the 
part  of  the  bills  aforesaid,  so  delivered  to  them  by  the 
other,  to  their  respective  houses,  to  be  signed  with  all 
possible  expidition;  and  when  signed,  in  any  sums,  from 
time  to  time,  to  be  delivered  to  the  Treasurer  of  the 
Division  where  the  signers  live,  and  the  stamps  for  the 
escutcheons  and  arms,  taking  receipts  of  the  respective 
Treasurers  for  the  sums  so  delivered  ;  which,  when  pro- 
duced, shall  be  sufficient  to  discharge  the  said  signers 
respectively,  their  heirs,  executors  or  administrators,  from 
such  parts  of  the  said  bills  as  the  receipts  do  express. 


251 


And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  tlio  said 
Treasurers  shall,  respectively,  sign  the  said  bills  to  them 
delivered  ;  and,  under  the  obligation  of  their  oaths  or 
affirmations  for  the  due  execution  of  their  offices,  pay 
them  out  accordingly  as  they  shall  be  directed,  by  this 
and  any  future  order  of  the  Provincial  Congress,  or  Com- 
mittee of  Safety,  of  this  Colony,  and  no  otherwise. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  bills  of 
credit  to  be  made  and  issued,  by  virtue  of  this  Ordinance, 
shall  pass  current  until  the  twenty-first  day  of  December, 
which  will  be  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  eighty-six. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  Samuel 
Tucker,  Hendrick  Fisher  and  Richard  Smith,  Esquires, 
or  any  two  of  them,  are  hereby  authorized  and  directed 
to  agree  with  the  printer  for  the  price  to  be  paid  him  for 
printing  the  bills,  according  to  the  directions  of  this 
Ordinance,  and  shall  be  and  are  hereby  appointed  in- 
spectors of  the  press,  to  take  care  that  the  printer  of  the 
bills  of  credit  doth  duly  perform  the  duty  herby  enjoined 
him. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  there  shall 
be  paid  to  the  printer  of  the  said  bills  of  credit,  such  sum 
or  sums  of  money  for  printing  them,  as  the  said  inspec- 
tors, or  any  two  of  them,  shall  certify  under  their  hands 
they  had  agreed  to  pay  him  for  that  service ;  and  there 
shall  be  paid  to  the  Treasurers,  inspectors  and  signers, 
such  reward  for  their  trouble  as  the  Congress  or  Com- 
mittee of  Safety,  for  this  Colony,  shall  deem  reasonable. 
All  which  sums  of  money  shall  be  paid  by  the  Treas- 
urers, or  either  of  them,  out  of  the  money  made  current 
by  virtue  of  this  Ordinance,  and  shall  take  proper  re- 
ceipts for  the  same;  which  receipts,  when  laid  before  the 
Provincial  Congress,  or  Committee  of  Safety,  shall  dis- 
charge the  said  Treasurers,  their  heirs,  executors  and 
administrators,  for  all  such  sums  by  them  paid,  pursuant 
to  this  Ordinance. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  residue 
of  the  said  thirty  thousand  Pounds  made  current  by  this 
Ordinance,  and  not  herein  appropriated,  shall  remain  in 
the  said  treasury  as  a  fund,  subject  to  be  disposed  of  in 

future 


252 


future  by  the  Provincial  Congress,  or  Committee  of  Safety, 
of  this  Colony. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  Tfiat  for  the  bet- 
ter credit  and  effectual  sinking  of  the  said  bills  of  credit, 
there  shall  be  assessed,  levied  and  raised,  on  the  several 
inhabitants  of  this  Colony,  their  goods  and  chattels, 
lands  and  tenements,  the  sum  of  ten  thousand  Pounds, 
annually,  in  ever}'^  of  the  years  one  thousand  seven  hun- 
dred and  eighty-four  one  thousand  seven  liundred  and 
eighty-five,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-six, 
to  be  paid  in  the  proportions  and  manner  following  : 


And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  several 
quotas,  so  apportioned  as  aforesaid,  shall  be  assessed, 
raised,  levied,  collected  and  paid  into  the  treasuries,  in 
the  same  method,  manner,  proportion  and  form,  as  is 
directed  by  an  act  passed  in  the  tenth  year  of  his  present 
Majesty's  reign,  entitled  An  act  to  settle  the  quotas  of  the 
several  Counties  in  this  Colony ;  provided  that  some 
other  more  equitable  expedient  for  sinking  the  same,  in 
a  more  easy  method  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  Colony, 
shall  not  be  agreed  upon  in  the  meantime. 

Whereupon  tlie  question  being  put,  whether  this  Ordi- 
nance do  pass  or  not  ?    It  was  carried  in  the  affirmative. 


By  the  County  of  Bergen, 
By  the  County  of  Essex, 
By  the  County  of  Middlesex, 
By  the  County  of  Somerset, 
By  the  County  of  Monmouth, 
By  the  County  of  Morris, 
By  the  County  of  Sussex, 
B}'  the  County  of  Hunterdon, 
By  the  County  of  Burlington, 
By  the  County  of  Gloucester, 
By  the  County  of  Salem, 
By  the  County  of  Cumberland 
By  the  County  of  Cape  May, 


£664  8  0 
742  18  0 
872  6  8 
904    2  0 

1069  2  8 
723  8  0 
593   5  4 

1363  16  8 

1071  13  4 
763  2  8 
679  12  0 
385  6  8 
166  18  0 


The  memorial  of  Jonathan  D.  Serjeant,  Esq.,  Treasurer 

to 


253 


to  the  late  Congress  of  this  Colony,  was  read  a  second 
time,  and  unanimously  approved  ; 

Ordered,  That  tlie  thanks  of  this  Congress  he  returned 
to  Mr.  Serjeant,  for  his  constant  and  steady  attention  to 
the  public  cause  at  these  times  of  general  calamity. 

On  motion  made, 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  commissions  do  issue  to 
Messrs.  John  Cooper  and  John  Dennis,  the  Treasurers 
for  this  Colony,  appointed  by  this  Congress,  upon  their 
giving  such  security  as  this  Congress,  or  the  Committee 
of  Safety  shall  direct. 

On  motion  made. 

Resolved,  That  upon  proper  certificates,  from  any  County 
Committee  of  this  Colony,  being  produced  to  the  Presi- 
dent, or  Vice  President,  in  the  recess  of  this  Congress, 
certifying  the  election  of  militia  or  minute  officers,  for 
any  of  the  Battalions  in  this  Colony,  the  President  or 
Vice  President  do  issue  commissions  accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  a  commission  do  issue  to  John  Taylor, 
Esq.,  as  Second  Major  of  the  Fourth  Regiment  of  Militia, 
in  Hunterdon  County. 

On  motion  made, 

Resolved,  That  in  the  case  of  the  death,  or  removal  out  of 
the  Colony,  of  any  of  the  Deputies  of  this  Congress,  before 
the  next  annual  election,  the  freeholders  of  the  County, 
for  which  such  person  was  a  Deputy,  have  leave  to  pro- 
ceed to  a  new  election  to  supply  his  place. 

On  motion  made. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  several  County 
Committees  of  this  Colony,  to  allow  their  respective  Depu- 
ties such  recompence  for  their  time  and  public  service,  in 
attending  the  Provincial  Congresses  and  Committees  of 
Safety,  as  they  shall  think  reasonable. 

Resolved,  That  a  commission  do  issue  to  James  Holmes, 
Esq.,  as  Surgeon  to  the  Sussex  Battalion  of  minute-men. 

Resolved,  That  a  commission  do  issue  to  Peter  Camp- 
bell, 


254 


bell,  Esquire,  as  Aid-de-Camp  to  Brigadier  General 
Dickinson. 


On  motion  made, 

Resolved,  That  the  following  gentlemen  be,  and  they 
are  hereby  appointed  a  Committee  of  Safet}',  to  act  for 
the  public  welfare  of  this  Colony,  in  the  recess  of  this 
Congress,  to  wit : 

Mr.  President  Tucker, 

Mr.  Vice  President  Fisher. 

John  Hart, 

Abraham  Clark, 

Lewis  Ogden, 

Joseph  Holmes, 

John  Mehelm, 

Isaac  Pearson,  J>  Esquires. 

John  Fope, 

Azariah  Dunham, 

John  Dennis, 

Augustine  Stevenson, 

Euloff  Van  Dyke, 
Which  said  Committee  of  Safety,  or  the  major  part  of 
the  members  thereof,  are  hereby  directed  to  meet  at  such 
time  and  place  as  the  President  and  Vice  President  shall 
direct. 


On  motion  made. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  President  be  desired  to  return  the 
thanks  of  this  Congress  to  the  Reverend  Mr.  Spencer,  and 
the  Reverend  Mr.  Panton,  for  their  polite  attention  and 
services,  during  the  present  sitting;  and  also  to  the  sev- 
eral communities,  who  have  been  pleased  to  accommodate 
this  Congress  with  the  use  of  their  respective  places  of 
worship. 

On  motion  made. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  be  requested  to  revise, 
correct  and  make  out  a  fair  copy  of  the  minutes  of  this 
Congress  for  publication ;  and  that  he  be  allowed  such 
recompence  for  his  time  and  trouble  as  this  Congress,  or 
Committee  of  Safety  shall  deem  reasonable. 

Resolved, 


255 


Resolved,  That  as  soon  as  the  Secretary  hath  prepared 
a  fair  cof)}'  of  the  minutes  of  this  Congress  for  the  press, 
Mr.  President  do  issue  an  order  to  Isaac  Collins,  to  im- 
mediately print  off  one  thousand  copies  thereof,  for  the 
use  of  the  Colony  in  general ;  and  five  hundred  copies  of 
the  new  Militia  Ordinance,  with  the  Articles  of  War,  for 
regulating  the  Continental  army,  annexed,  for  the  use 
of  the  Militia  forces. 

Resolved,  That,  out  of  the  monies  in  the  Treasury  of 
this  Congress,  there  be  paid  to  Mr.  President  so  much 
money  as  he  hath  expended  for  firewood,  candles,  pens, 
ink  and  paper,  for  the  use  of  this  Congress,  during  the 
present  sitting;  and  also  ten  Shillings  to  Mr.  Fisher, and 
ten  Shillings  to  Mr.  Mehelm,  for  two  volumes  of  the 
Acts  of  Assembly  of  this  Colony  ;  and  to  Daniel  Bellin- 
geau,  the  doorkeeper  of  this  Congress,  for  his  constant 
attendance  and  services  during  this  sitting,  six  Pounds; 
and  also,  to  the  said  Daniel  Bellingeau,  the  sum  of  three 
Pounds  fifteen  Shillings,  for  his  services  in  attendnig  the 
late  Congress. 

The  Congress  adjourned  to  meet  at  New  Brunswick  on 
the  first  Tuesday  in  April  next,  unless  soonor  convened 
bv  the  President,  Vice  President,  or  the  Committee  of 
Safety. 

An 


An  Ordinance 


For  regulating  the  Militia  of  New  Jersey,  passed 

AT  A  SITTING  OF  THE   PROVINCIAL  CoNGRESS,  HeLD 

AT  Trenton  in  the  Month  of  October,  1775, 

TO  WHICH  IS  annexed  THE  CONTINENTAL  ARTICLES 

OF  War. 


An  Ordinance,  &c. 

Whereas  the  ordinances  of  the  late  Provincial  Con- 
gress, for  regulating  the  Militia  of  this  Colony,  have 
been  found  insufficient  to  answer  the  good  purposes  in- 
tended ;  and  it  appearing  to  be  essentially  necessary  that 
some  further  regulations  be  adopted  at  this  time  of 
imminent  danger; 

1.  It  is  therefore  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  each  and 
every  Captain  in  this  Colony,  within  ten  days  after  the 
publication  hereof,  shall  make  out  a  list  of  all  persons 
residing  in  his  district  capable  of  bearing  arms,  between 
the  ages  of  sixteen  and  fifty  years,  who,  by  the  first  mili- 
tary ordinance  of  a  former  Congress,  were  advised  or 
requested  to  enrol  themselves  by  signing  a  muster-roll 
therein  mentioned,  such  persons  only  excepted  whose 
religious  principles  will  not  suffer  them  to  bear  arms, 
who  are  hereby  particularly  exempted  therefrom  ;  a  copy 
of  which  list  each  Captain,  respectively,  within  ten  days 
after  completing  the  same,  shall  deliver  to  the  Colonel 
of  the  regiment  to  which  he  shall  belong,  and  such  Colo- 
nel shall  make  return  thereof  to  the  Brigadier  General 
of  the  division  to  which  he  shall  belong  ;  and  also  trans- 
mit a  duplicate  thereof  to  the  Provicial  Congress  at  their 

next 

18 


258 


next  sitting.  And  the  respective  Captains  sliall  also 
make  out  exact  lists  of  all  such  persons  residing  in  their 
several  districts  capable  of  bearing  arms,  between  the 
ages  of  sixteen  and  fifty  years,  whose  religious  principles 
will  not  suffer  them  to  bear  arms;  which  lists  the  said 
Captains  shall  lay  before  the  Committee  of  the  County 
to  which  they  belong. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  every  person  above 
directed  to  enrol  himself  by  signing  a  muster-roll,  shall 
bear  arms,  attend  musters,  and  in  all  things  be  conform- 
able to  the  rules  and  orders  herein  after  mentioned  ;  and 
shall,  with  all  convenient  speed,  furnish  himself  with  a 
good  musket  or  firelock,  and  bayonet,  sword  or  tomahawk, 
a  steel  ramrod,  priming  wire  and  brush  fitted  thereto,  a 
cartouch-boxto  contain  twenty-three  rounds  of  cartridges, 
twelve  flints,  and  a  knapsack,  agreeable  to  the  direction 
of  the  Continental  Congress,  under  the  forfeitures  of  two 
Shillings  for  the  want  of  a  musket  or  firelock,  and  of  one 
Shilling  for  the  want  of  the  other  above  enumerated 
articles. 

3.  And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  every  person  directed 
to  be  enrolled  as  above,  shall,  at  his  place  of  abode,  be 
also  provided  with  one  pound  of  powder,  and  three 
pounds  of  bullets  of  proper  size  to  his  musket  or  fire- 
lock. 

4.  And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  each 
whole  company  of  Militia  do  assemble  at  least  once  every 
month,  properly  accoutered  as  aforesaid,  at  such  place  as 
the  Captain,  or  commanding  officer  of  such  company, 
shall  direct,  and  shall  spend  the  whole  day  in  perfecting 
themselves  in  the  military  exercise  ;  and  that  a  general 
muster  or  review  be  had  of  each  regiment  three  times  in 
every  year,  at  such  times  and  places  as  the  field  officers 
of  each  regiment  shall  think  proper  to  appoint. 

5.  And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  in  case 
any  person  shall  refuse  or  neglect  to  serve  as  a  sergeant 
or  corporal  in  any  company,  being  thereunto  requested 
by  the  Captain  or  commanding  officer,  or  shall  refuse  or 
neglect  to  warn  the  men  to  appear  under  arms  when 
required  by  the  Captain  or  commanding  officer,  such 
sergeant  or  corporal,  shall,  for  every  such  neglect  or 
refusal,  forfeit  the  sum  of  twelve  Shillings. 

6. 


259 


6.  And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  Tliat  all  offi- 
cers commissioned,  by  this  or  the  former  Congress,  do 
subscribe  the  following  declaration,  to  wit : 

We,  the  subscribers,  the  officers  of  one  of  the  regi- 
ments in  the  County  of  and  Colony  of  New 
Jersey,  do  hereby  promise  and  engage,  under  all  the  ties 
of  religion,  honor  and  regard  to  our  Country,  that  we 
will,  respectively,  duly  observe,  and  carry  into  execu- 
tion, to  the  utmost  of  our  power,  all  and  every  the  orders, 
resolves  and  recommendations  made,  or  to  be  made,  by 
the  Provincial  Congress  of  this  Colony,  for  defending 
our  Constitution,  and  preserving  the  same  inviolate;  and 
that  we  will  also  render  due  obedience  to  such  officers, 
who  either  by  rank  or  superiority,  are  regularly  placed 
above  us.  Which  declaration  shall  be  laid  before  the 
next  sitting  of  the  Provincial  Congress. 

7.  And  it  is  farther  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  fol- 
lowing penalties  be  inflicted  on  those  who  do  not  attend 
and  obey  orders  on  the  days  appointed  for  general  mus- 
ters or  reviews,  to  wit: 

A  Colonel  six  Pounds,  a  Lieutenant-Colonel  five 
Pounds,  Major  four  Pounds,  Captain  three  Pounds, 
Lieutenants,  Ensigns  and  Adjutants  two  Pounds  each. 
Sergeants,  Corporals,  drummers,  fifes  and  privates,  di- 
rected to  be  enrolled  as  aforesaid,  ten  Shillings  each,  for 
each  and  every  default.  And  that  there  shall  be  inflicted 
on  those  who  do  not  attend  properly  accoutered  as  above- 
said,  and  obey  orders,  on  the  times  to  be  appointed  for 
the  meeting  of  the  Companies,  at  least  once  every  month, 
to  wit,  a  Captain  thirty  Shillings,  Lieutenants  and 
Ensigns  twenty  Shillings  each,  Sergeants,  Corporals, 
drummers,  fifes  and  privates  four  Shillings  each,  for  each 
and  every  default.  Provided  always,  that  reasonable  ex- 
cuses shall  be  admitted  for  delinquents  non-attendance, 
by  those  persons  who  are  to  issue  the  warrants  of 
distress. 

8.  And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  all  fines, 
under  the  degree  of  a  Captain,  shall  be  levied  on  the 
goods  and  chattels  of  the  off'ender,  by  warrant  from  the 
Captain  directed  to  a  Sergeant  of  his  Company;  and 
those  of  field-officers  and  Captains,  under  the  degree  of 

Colonel, 


260 


Colonel,  to  be  levied  on  the  goods  and  chattels  of  the 
offender,  by  a  warrant  from  the  Colonel  of  the  Regiment 
directed  to  the  Adjutant;  and  those  of  a  Colonel,  by  a 
warrant  from  a  Brigadier-General,  directed  to  a  Major  of 
the  Regiment  to  which  such  delinquent  or  delinquents 
belong. 

9.  A  nd  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Diieded,  That  the  sev- 
eral officers  and  persons  to  whom  warrants  of  distress 
shall  be  directed,  shall,  upon  receipt  thereof,  immedi- 
ately levy  the  several  fines  and  forfeitures  therein  men- 
tioned, under  the  forfeiture  of  forty  Shillings  for  every 
neglect  in  levying  the  same,  to  be  recovered  by  a  war- 
rant under  the  hand  of  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee 
of  the  County  where  such  neglect  shall  happen,  directed 
to  such  person  or  persons  as  such  Committee  shall  ap- 
point for  that  purpose:  and  every  Sergeant  shall  levy 
upon  each  delinquent,  in  the  warrant  to  him  directed, 
the  sum  of  one  Shilling  over  and  above  the  penalty  laid 
in  such  warrant,  which  he  is  to  keep  and  detain  as  a  re- 
ward for  his  trouble ;  and  each  Major  or  Adjutant  shall 
receive,  for  each  distress  by  them  made,  the  sum  of  five 
Shillings,  which  he  is  to  levy  as  abovesaid.  And  the 
fines  and  forfeitures  aforesaid  levied  by  a  Sergeant,  when 
recovered,  shall  be  paid  to  the  Captain  issuing  such  war- 
rant, to  be  by  him  laid  out  in  supplying  such  of  his 
Company  with  arms  as  are  not  able  to  furnish  them- 
.*?elves  therewith;  and  shall  render  to  the  Committee  of 
the  County,  in  which  he  resides,  a  true  account  of  all 
such  fines  and  forfeitures  by  him  received,  and  his  dis- 
bursements out  of  the  same,  agreeable  to  the  above  direc- 
tions, when  he  shall  be  thereunto  required  by  said  Com- 
mittee: and  in  case  any  of  such  fines  and  forfeitures  shall 
remain  in  such  Captain's  hands  for  the  space  of  two 
months  not  laid  out  as  aforesaid,  he  shall  then  pay  the 
same  to  such  Committee,  to  be  by  them  laid  out  as 
above  directed :  and  all  fines  recovered  from  any  officer 
or  officers,  above  the  degree  of  Lieutenant,  shall  be  im- 
mediately paid  into  the  hands  of  the  County  Committee, 
to  be  by  them  laid  out  in  such  manner  as  they  shall 
judge  most  serviceable  for  the  common  defence  of  the 
Colony. 

10. 


2G1 


10.  AtcL  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  if  this 
Colony  shall  be  alarmed  or  invaded  by  an  armed  force, 
then,  and  in  such  case,  every  subaltern  and  soldier  so 
enrolled,  or  directed  to  be  enrolled  as  aforesaid  ;  and  also 
each  minute-man  raised,  or  which  may  then  be  raised,  is 
hereby  requested  immediately  to  repair,  properly  armed 
and  accoutered,  to  his  Captain's  residence,  unless  other- 
wise ordered ;  and  the  Captain,  or  Commanding  Officer 
of  the  Company  nearest  to  the  place  where  such  ahirm 
or  invasion  shall  happen,  shall  immediately  march  his 
Company  to  oppose  the  enemy ;  and  at  the  same  time 
send  an  express  to  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Regi- 
ment to  which  he  belongs,  who  is  to  march  with  the 
whole,  or  part  of  the  forces  under  his  command,  as  he, 
before  receiving  orders  from  one  of  the  general  officers 
shall  judge  necessary,  in  order  to  prevent  the  enemy  from 
landing  or  [)enetrating  into  any  part  of  the  country  ;  and 
at  the  same  time  shall  send  an  express  to  some  one  of  tl)e 
general  officers  nearest  to  him,  informing  him  of  tlie  intel- 
ligence he  hath  received  of  such  an  alarm  or  invasion; 
and,  during  the  times  of  such  invasion  or  alarm,  the 
officers  and  soldiers  abovesaid,  shall  be  subject  to  a  court- 
martial,  under  the  same  rules  and  orders  as  directed  and 
ordered  by  the  Continental  Congress  of  the  associated 
Colonies,  held  at  Philadelphia  on  the  tenth  day  of  May 
last,  for  the  better  government  of  the  Continental  troops. 

11.  Provided  always,  and  it  is  f  urther  Resolved  and  Directed, 
That  no  pains  and  penalties,  imposed  by  a  court-martial, 
shall  extend  to  the  taking  life  or  member  of  any  delin- 
quent or  offender  who  shall  be  called  out  as  aforesaid. 

12.  And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  every 
person  between  the  ages  of  sixteen  and  fifty  years,  capa- 
ble of  bearing  arms  as  aforesaid,  who  shall  come  from 
any  of  the  neighbouring  Provinces  in  this  Colony,  shall, 
within  two  weeks  after  his  arrival,  enrol  himself  in  the 
company  of  the  place  where  such  person  may  chance  to 
reside,  and  attend  musters  as  before  directed  for  the 
Militia;  and,  in  case  of  neglect  or  refusal,  shall  be  sub- 
ject to  the  same  fines  and  forfeitures. 

13.  And  it  is  farther  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the 
officers  and  minute  men  now  formed  into  companies  or 

Battalions, 


2G2 


Battalions,  or  such  as  shall  be  so  formed  hereafter,  shall 
observe  the  same  rules,  orders  and  directions,  as  to  attend- 
infi  musters,  and  learning  the  military  discipline,  and 
be  subject  to  the  same  fines  and  penalties  for  non-attend- 
ance, as  before  directed  for  the  Militia,  and  to  be  recov- 
ered in  like  manner. 

llf,.  And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the 
minute-men.  when  called  out  to  the  assistance  of  a  neigh- 
bouring Colony,  shall  be  subject  to  the  articles  of  war, 
established  by  the  Continental  Congress,  and  be  under 
the  direction  of  their  own  officers,  unless  a  Continental 
officer  of  superior  rank  be  present,  to  whom,  in  such  case, 
they  are  to  yield  due  subordination. 

15.  And  whereas,  several  companies  of  light  horse  have 
been  raised  in  this  Colony  ;  and  as  it  is  probable  that 
inore  may  l)e  raised  hereafter.  It  is  therefore  Resolved  and 
Directed,  That  each  company  of  light  horse  do  not  exceed 
forty  privates,  and  that  one  company  only  be  allowed  to 
be  raised  in  each  County ;  and  that  each  regiment  be 
commanded  by  a  Colonel,  Lieutenant  Colonel,  and  Major, 
wlio  are  to  be  subject  to  the  command  of  the  Brigadier 
Generals  of  this  Colony,  the  Provincial  Congress,  or  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  ;  and  that  such  Regiments  of  horse  shall 
be  under  the  same  regulations,  as  to  the  times  of  muster, 
and  learning  the  military  discipline,  as  before  directed 
for  the  foot  Militia  by  this  Ordinance,  and  subject  to  the 
same  fines  and  penalties  for  non-attendance;  which  fines 
and  penaUies  are  to  be  recovered  in  manner  aforesaid  ; 
and  that  the  officers  of  each  Regiment  of  horse  take  equal 
rank  with  the  militia  officers  of  foot  holding  similar  com- 
missions of  the  same  date. 

16.  And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  each 
and  every  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  Colony,  between  the 
ages  of  sixteen  and  fifty  years,  whose  religious  principles 
will  not  suffer  them  to  bear  arms  as  above  directed,  shall, 
as  an  equivalent  thereto,  and  also  in  lieu  of  all  future 
voluntary  contributions  for  public  and  benevolent  uses, 
as  recommended  by  Congress,  pay  into  the  hands  of  the 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  County  where  they 
reside,  the  sum  of  four  Shillings  per  month  for  such  their 
exemption ;  and  in  case  they,  or  either  of  them,  shall 

neglect 


263 


neglect  or  refuse  to  pay  the  same,  that  tlien,  upon  such 
neglect  or  refusal,  such  Committee,  once  every  three 
months,  sliall,  and  are  hereby  required  and  enjoined  to 
issue  a  warrant  of  distress,  under  the  hand  of  their  Chair- 
man or  Deputy  Chairman,  directed  to  such  person  or 
persons  as  tlic}'  shall  appoint  for  that  purpose,  requiring 
distress  to  be  made  on  the  goods  and  chattels  of  every 
such  delinquent ;  and  that  the  same  be  sold  at  public 
vendue,  giving  five  days  notice  thereof  by  advertisement ; 
and,  out  of  the  money  arising  by  such  sale,  to  pay  the 
Chairman  of  sucli  Committee  the  money  then  due  from 
every  such  delinquent,  returning  the  overplus,  if  any,  to 
the  owner  thereof,  after  detaining  one  Shilling  and  Six- 
pence for  every  such  distress  and  sale;  and  in  case  any 
person  or  persons  aforesaid,  under  age,  shall  make  default 
in  paying  their  equivalent  as  aforesaid,  the  same,  by  order 
of  such  Committee,  shall  be  demanded  of  the  parent, 
master  or  person  whose  care  such  delinquents  are  under; 
and,  upon  their  refusal  or  neglect  to  pay,  the  same  shall 
be  recovered  by  distress  and  sale  as  aforesaid  of  such  de- 
linquent's parent,  master  or  other  person  whose  care  he 
or  they  are  under;  and  the  County  Committees  respec- 
tively are  also  hereby  enjoined  and  required,  once  every 
six  months,  to  pay  unto  either  of  the  Treasurers  of  this 
Colony,  for  the  time  being,  appointed  by  this  Congress, 
all  such  sum  and  sums  of  money  as  they  may  receive  as 
abovesaid,  to  be  applied  as  a  Provincial  fund  to  such  uses 
and  purposes  as  this  or  a  future  Congress  shall  judge  the 
exigencies  of  the  times  may  require. 

17.  Provided  always,  and  it  is  f  urther  Resolved  and  Di- 
rected, That  every  person  above  directed  and  required  to 
pa}'  an  equivalent  for  the  above  exemptions,  shall  be  ex- 
cused from  paying  such  equivalent  every  time  he  shall 
make  it  appear  to  the  Committee  of  the  County  where  he 
resides,  that  he  was  sick  or  unable  to  attend  musters  at 
the  time  when  the  company,  in  the  District  he  lives  in, 
shall  attend  their  monthly  exercises  ;  or  shall  make  it 
appear  he  was  at  that  time  out  of  the  Province,  or  neces- 
sarily engaged  in  the  public  business  of  the  Colony. 

18.  And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  in  case  any  person 
or  persons  shall  think  him  or  themselves  aggrieved  by  a 

distress 


264 


distress  made  for  their  fines  and  forfeitures  as  aforesaid, 
such  person  or  persons  may,  within  two  months  there- 
after, appeal  to  the  Committee  of  the  Township  or  Com- 
mittee of  the  County  in  which  he  or  they  shall  reside, 
which  Committee  shall  take  the  same  into  consideration  ; 
and,  in  case  they  find  any  such  appellant  aggrieved, 
shall  order  suitable  redress,  by  directing  the  money  recov- 
ered of  him  or  them,  or  such  part  thereof  as  they  think 
proper,  to  be  returned  by  the  Captain  or  otlier  officer  who 
issued  the  warrant  of  distress,  who  is  hereby  required  to 
return  the  same  accordingly,  or  in  ease  the  goods  dis- 
trained are  not  sold,  the  Committee  then  may  give  such 
order  therein  as  to  them  may  seem  just  and  right,  con- 
forming themselves  in  such  decisions,  as  near  as  may  be, 
to  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of  this  Ordinance. 


Rules  and  Articles  for  the  Better  Government 
OF  THE  Troops  raised,  or  to  be  raised,  and  kept  in 

PAY   BY   and    at    the   JOINT    EXPENCE   OF    THE  TWELVE 

United  English  Colonies  of  North  America. 

In  General  Congress  of  the  United  Colonies,  held  at  Phila- 
delphia on  the  10th  day  of  May,  1775. 

Whereas  his  Majesty's  most  faithful  subjects  in  these 
Colonies  are  reduced  to  a  dangerous  and  critical  situation, 
by  the  attempts  of  the  British  Ministry,  to  carry  into  ex- 
ecution, by  force  of  arms,  several  unconstitutional  and 
oppressive  acts  of  the  British  Parliament  for  laying 
taxes  in  America,  to  enforce  the  collection  of  those  taxes, 
and  for  altering  and  changing  the  Constitution  and  in- 
ternal police  of  some  of  these  Colonies,  in  violation  of 
the  natural  and  civil  rights  of  the  Colonies. 

And  whereas  hostilities  have  been  actually  commenced 
in  the  Massachusetts  bay,  by  the  British  troops,  under 
the  command  of  General  Gage,  and  the  lives  of  a  num- 
ber of  the  inhabitants  of  that  Colony  destroyed ;  the 
town  of  Boston  not  only  having  been  long  occupied  as 
a  garrisoned  town  in  an  enemy's  country,  but  the  inhab- 
itants 


265 


itants  thereof,  treated  with  a  severity  and  cruelty  not  to 
be  justified  even  towards  declared  enemies. 

And  whereas  large  reinforcements  have  been  ordered, 
and  are  soon  expected,  for  the  declared  purpose  of  com- 
pelling these  Colonies  to  submit  to  the  operation  of  tlie 
said  acts,  which  hath  rendered  it  necessary,  and  an  indis- 
pensable duty,  for  the  express  purpose  of  securing  and 
defending  these  Colonies,  and  preserving  thf  m  in  safety 
against  all  attempts  to  carrj'  the  said  acts  into  execution, 
that  an  armed  force  be  raised  sufficient  to  defeat  such 
hostile  designs,  and  preserve  and  defend  the  lives,  liber- 
ties and  immunities  of  the  Colonists;  for  the  due  regu- 
lating and  well  ordering  of  which. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  rules  and  orders  be  at- 
tended to  and  observed  by  such  forces  as  are  or  may 
hereafter  be  raised  for  the  purpose  aforesaid  : 

Article  1.  That  every  officer  who  shall  be  retained, 
and  every  soldier  who  shall  serve  in  the  Continental 
army,  shall,  at  the  time  of  his  acceptance  of  his  commis- 
sion or  inlistment,  subscribe  these  rules  and  regulations; 
and  that  the  officers  and  soldiers,  already  of  that  army, 
shall  also,  as  soon  as  may  be,  subscribe  the  same;  from 
•'the  time  of  which  subscription  every  officer  and  soldier 
shall  be  bound  by  those  regulations  ;  but  if  any  of  the 
officers  or  soldiers,  now  of  the  said  army,  do  not  sub- 
scribe these  rules  and  regulations,  then  they  may  be 
retained  in  the  said  army,  subject  to  the  rules  and  regu- 
lations under  which  they  entered  into  the  service,  or  be 
discharged  from  the  service  at  the  option  of  the  Com- 
mander-in-chief. 

Art.  2.  It  is  earnestly  recommended  to  all  officers  and 
soldiers,  diligently  to  attend  divine  service;  and  all  offi- 
cers and  soldiers,  who  shall  behave  indecently  or  irrever- 
ently at  any  place  of  divine  worship,  shall,  if  commis- 
•sioned  officers,  be  brought  before  a  court-martial,  there 
to  be  publicly  and  severely  reprimanded  by  the  president ; 
if  non-commissioned  officers  or  soldiers,  every  person  so 
offending  shall,  for  his  first  offence,  forfeit  one-sixth  of  a 
dollar,  to  be  deducted  out  of  his  next  pay  ;  for  the  second 
offence,  he  shall  not  only  forfeit  a  like  sum,  but  be  con- 
fined for  twenty-four  hours ;  and  for  every  like  offence, 

shall 


266 


shall  suffer  and  pay  in  like  manner;  which  money  so 
forfeited,  shall  be  applied  to  the  use  of  the  sick  soldiers 
of  the  troop  or  company  to  which  the  offender  belongs. 

Art.  3.  Whatsoever  non-commissioned  officer  or  soldier 
shall  use  any  profane  oath  or  execration,  shall  incur  the 
penalties  expressed  in  the  foregoing  article ;  and  if  a 
commissioned  officer  be  thus  guilty  of  profane  cursing 
or  swearing,  he  shall  forfeit  and  pay,  for  each  and  every 
such  offence,  the  sum  of  four  Shillings,  lawful  money. 

Art.  4.  Any  officer  or  soldier,  who  shall  behave  him- 
self with  contempt  or  disrespect  towards  the  General  or 
Generals,  or  Commanders-in-Chief  of  the  Continental 
forces,  or  shall  speak  false  words,  tending  to  his  or  their 
hurt  or  dishonour,  shall  be  punished  according  to  the 
nature  of  his  offence,  by  the  judgment  of  a  general  court- 
martial. 

Art.  5.  Any  officer  or  soldier  who  shall  begin,  excite, 
cause  or  join  in  any  mutiny  or  sedition,  in  the  regiment, 
troop  or  company  to  which  he  belongs,  or  in  any  other 
regiment,  troop  or  company  of  the  Continental  forces, 
either  by  land  or  sea,  or  in  any  part,  post,  detachment  or 
guard,  on  any  pretence  whatsoever,  shall  suflPer  such 
punishment  as  by  a  general  court-martial  shall  be  ordered. 

Art.  6.  Any  officer,  non-commissioned  officer,  or  soldier 
who,  being  present  at  any  mutiny  or  sedition,  does  not 
use  his  utmost  endeavors  to  suppress  the  same  ;  or  coming 
to  the  knowledge  of  any  mutiny  or  intended  mutiny, 
does  not,  without  delay,  give  information  thereof  to  the 
commanding  officer,  shall  be  punished  by  order  of  a  gen- 
eral court-martial,  according  to  the  nature  of  his  offence. 

Art.  7.  Any  officer  or  soldier,  who  shall  strike  his  su- 
perior officer,  or  draw  or  offer  to  draw,  or  shall  lift  up 
any  weapon,  or  offer  any  violence  against  him,  being  in 
the  execution  of  his  office,  on  any  pretence  whatsoever, 
or  shall  disobey  any  lawful  commands  of  his  superior- 
officer,  shall  suffer  such  punishment  as  shall,  according 
to  the  nature  of  his  offence,  be  ordered  by  the  sentence 
of  a  general  court-martial. 

Art.  8.  Any  non-commissioned  officer  or  soldier,  who 
shall  desert,  or  without  leave  of  his  Commanding  Officer, 
absent  himself  from  the  Troop  or  company  to  which  he 

belongs, 


267 


belongs,  or  from  any  detachment  of  the  same,  shall,  upon 
being  convicted  thereof,  be  punished  according  to  the 
nature  of  his  offence,  at  the  discretion  of  a  general  court- 
martial. 

Art.  9.  Whatsoever  officer  or  soldier  shall  be  convicted 
of  having  advised  or  persuaded  any  other  officer  or 
soldier  to  desert,  shall  suffer  such  punishment  as  shall 
be  ordered  by  the  sentence  of  a  general  court-martial. 

Art.  10.  All  officers  of  what  condition  soever,  shall 
have  power  to  part  and  quell  all  quarrels,  frays  and  dis- 
orders, though  the  persons  concerned  should  belong  to 
another  regiment,  troop  or  company;  and  either  order 
officers  to  be  arrested,  or  non-commissioned  officers  or 
soldiers  to  be  confined  and  imprisoned,  till  their  proper 
superior  officers  shall  be  acquainted  therewith  ;  and  who- 
soever shall  refuse  to  obey  such  officer  (though  of  an 
inferior  rank)  or  shall  draw  his  sword  upon  him,  shall 
be  punished  at  the  discretion  of  a  general  court-martial. 

Art.  11.  No  officer  or  soldier  shall  use  any  reproachful 
or  provoking  speeches  or  gestures  to  another;  nor  shall 
presume  to  send  a  challenge  to  any  person  to  fight  a 
duel :  And  whoever  shall,  knowingly  and  willingly, 
suffer  any  person  whatsoever  to  go  forth  to  fight  a  duel ; 
or  shall  second,  promote  or  carry  any  challenge,  shall  be 
deemed  as  a  principal :  And  whatsoever  officer  or  soldier 
shall  upraid  another  for  refusing  a  challenge,  shall  also 
be  considered  as  a  challenger:  And  all  such  offenders 
in  any  of  these  or  such  like  cases,  shall  be  punished  at 
the  discretion  of  a  general  court-martial. 

Art.  12.  Every  officer  commanding  in  quarters,  or  on 
a  march,  shall  keep  good  order,  and,  to  the  utmost  of  his 
power,  redress  all  such  abuses  or  disorders  which  may  be 
committed  by  any  officer  or  soldier  under  his  command  : 
If  upon  any  complaint  being  made  to  him,  of  officers  or 
soldiers  beating  or  otherwise  ill-treating  any  person,  or 
of  committing  any  kind  of  riot,  to  the  disquieting  of  the 
inhabitants  of  this  continent,  he,  the  said  Commander, 
who  shall  refuse  or  omit  to  see  justice  done  on  the  offender 
or  offenders,  and  reparation  made  to  the  party  or  parties 
injured,  as  far  as  the  offenders  wages  shall  enable  him 
or  them,  shall,  upon  due  proof  thereof,  be  punished  as 

ordered 


268 


ordered  b,v  a  general  court-martial,  in  such  manner  as  if 
he  himself  had  committed  the  crimes  or  disorders  com- 
plained of. 

Art.  13.  If  any  officer  should  think  himself  to  be 
wronged  by  his  Colonel  or  the  commanding  officer  of 
the  Regiment,  and  shall,  upon  due  application  made  to 
him,  be  refused  to  be  redressed,  he  may  complain  to  the 
General  or  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Continental  forces, 
in  order  to  obtain  justice,  who  is  hereby  required  to  ex- 
amine into  said  complaint,  and  see  that  justice  be  done. 

Art.  14.  If  any  inferior  officer  or  soldier  shall  think 
himself  wronged  by  his  Captain  or  other  officer  command- 
ing the  troop  or  company  to  which  he  belongs,  he  is  to 
complain  thereof  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  Regi- 
ment, who  is  hereby  required  to  summon  a  regimental 
court-martial  forthedoing  justice  to  thecomplainant;  from 
which  regimental  court-martial,  either  party  may,  if  he 
still  thinks  himself  aggrieved,  appeal  to  a  general  court- 
martial  ;  but  if,  upon  a  second  hearing,  the  appeal  shall 
appear  to  be  vexatious  and  groundless,  the  person  so 
appealing  shall  be  punished  at  the  discretion  of  the  gen- 
eral court-martial. 

Art.  15.  Whatsoever  non-commissioned  officer  or  soldier 
shall  be  convicted,  at  a  regimental  court-martial,  of  hav- 
ing sold,  or  designedly,  or  through  neglect,  wasted  the 
ammunition,  arms  or  provisions,  or  otlier  miHtary  stores, 
delivered  out  to  him,  to  be  employed  in  the  service  of 
this  Continent,  shall,  if  an  officer,  be  reduced  to  a  private 
sentinel ;  and  if  a  private  soldier,  shall  suffer  sucii  pun- 
ishment as  shall  be  ordered  by  a  regimental  court-mar- 
tial. 

Art.  16.  All  non-commissioned  officers  and  soldiers,  who 
shall  be  found  one  mile  from  the  camp,  without  leave  in 
writing  from  their  commanding  officer,  shall  suffer  such 
punishment  as  shall  be  inflicted  on  him  or  them  by  the 
sentence  of  a  regimental  court-martial. 

Art.  17.  No  officer  or  soldier  shall  lie  out  of  his  quarters 
or  camp,  without  leave  from  the  commanding  officer  of 
the  regiment,  upon  penalty  of  being  punished  according 
to  the  nature  of  his  offence,  by  order  of  a  regimental  court- 
martial. 

Art. 


269 


Art.  18.  Every  non-commissioned  officer  and  soldier 
shall  retire  to  his  quarters  or  tent  at  the  beating  of  the 
retreat ;  in  default  of  which,  he  shall  be  punished  accord- 
ing to  the  nature  of  his  ofience,  by  order  of  the  command- 
ing officer. 

Art.  19.  No  officer,  non-commissioned  officer  or  soldier, 
shall  fail  of  repairing,  at  the  time  fixed,  to  the  place  of 
parade  or  exercise,  or  other  rendezvous  appointed  by  the 
commanding  officer,  if  not  prevented  by  sickness  or  some 
other  evident  necessity ;  or  shall  go  from  the  said  [)lace 
of  rendezvous,  or  from  his  guard,  without  leave  from  his 
commanding  officer,  before  he  shall  be  regularly  dis- 
missed or  relieved,  on  penalty  of  being  punished  accord- 
ing to  the  nature  of  his  ofience,  by  the  sentence  of  a 
regimental  court-martial. 

Art.  20.  Whatsoever  commissioned  officer  shall  be 
found  drunk  on  his  guard,  party  or  duty,  under  arms, 
sliall  be  cashiered  for  it ;  any  non-commissioned  officer 
or  soldier,  so  offending,  shall  suffer  such  punishment  as 
shall  be  ordered  by  the  sentence  of  a  regimental  court- 
martial. 

Art.  21,  Whatsoever  sentinel  shall  be  found  sleeping 
upon  his  post,  or  shall  leave  it  before  he  shall  be  regu- 
larly relieved,  shall  suffer  such  punishment  as  shall  be 
ordered  by  the  sentence  of  a  general  court-martial. 

Art.  22.  Any  person  belonging  to  the  Continenal  army, 
who,  by  discharging  of  fire  arms,  beating  of  drums,  or  by 
any  other  means  whatsoever,  shall  occasion  false  alarms, 
in  camp  or  quarters,  shall  suffer  such  punishment  as 
shall  be  ordered  by  the  sentence  of  a  general  court-mar- 
tial. 

Art.  23.  Any  officer  or  soldier  who  shall,  without  urgent 
necessity,  or  without  leave  of  his  superior  officer,  quit  his 
platoon  or  division,  shall  be  punished  according  to  the 
nature  of  his  offence,  by  the  sentence  of  a  regimental 
court-martial. 

Art.  24.  No  officer  or  soldier  shall  do  violence,  or  offer 
any  insult,  or  abuse,  to  any  person  who  shall  bring  pro- 
visions, or  other  necessaries,  to  the  camp,  or  quarters  of 
the  Continental  army  ;  any  officer  or  soldier  so  offending, 
shall,  upon  complaint  being  made  to  the  commanding 

officer , 


270 


officer,  suffer  such  punishment  as  shall  be  ordered  by  a 
regimental  court-martial. 

Art.  25.  Whatsover  officer  or  soldier  shall  shamefully 
abandon  any  post  committed  to  his  charge,  or  shall  speak 
words  inducing  others  to  do  the  like,  in  time  of  an  engage- 
ment, shall  suffer  death  immediately 

Art.  26.  Any  person  belonging  to  the  Continental  army, 
who  shall  make  known  the  watchword  to  any  person  who 
is  not  entitled  to  receive  it,  according  to  the  rules  and 
discipline  of  war,  or  shall  presume  to  give  a  parole,  or 
watchword  different  from  what  he  received,  shall  suffer 
death,  or  such  other  punishment  as  shall  be  ordered  by 
the  sentence  of  a  general  court-martial. 

Art.  27.  Whosoever,  belonging  to  the  Continental  army, 
shall  relieve  the  enemy  with  money,  victuals,  or  ammu- 
nition ;  or  shall  knowingly  harbour  or  protect  an  enemy, 
shall  suffer  such  punishment  as  by  a  general  court-martial 
shall  be  ordered. 

Art.  28.  Whosoever,  belonging  to  the  Continental  army, 
shall  be  convicted  of  holding  correspondence  with,  or  of 
giving  intelligence  to  the  enemy,  either  directly  or  indi- 
rectly, shall  suffer  such  punishment  as  by  a  general 
court-martial  shall  be  ordered. 

Art.  29.  All  public  stores  taken  in  the  enemy's  camp 
or  magazines,  whether  of  artillery,  ammunition,  clothing 
or  provisions,  shall  be  secured  for  the  use  of  the  United 
Colonies. 

Art.  30.  If  any  officer  or  soldier  shall  leave  his  post  or 
colours,  in  time  of  an  engagement,  to  go  in  search  of 
plunder,  he  shall,  upon  being  convicted  thereof  before  a 
general  court-martial,  suffer  such  punishment  as  by  said 
court-martial  shall  be  ordered. 

Art.  31.  If  any  commander  of  any  post,  intrenchment, 
or  fortress,  shall  be  compelled,  by  the  officers  or  soldiers 
under  his  command,  to  give  it  up  to  the  enemy,  or  to 
abandon  it,  the  commissioned  officer,  non-commissioned 
officers  or  soldiers  who  shall  be  convicted  of  having  so 
offended,  shall  suffer  death,  or  such  other  punishment  as 
may  be  inflicted  upon  them  by  the  sentence  of  a  general 
court-martial. 

Art,  32.  All  suttlers  and  retailers  to  a  camp,  and  all 

persons 


persons  whatsoever,  servinf^  with  the  Continental  army 
in  the  fiekl,  tlioufrh  not  enlisted  soldiers,  are  to  be  subject 
to  the  articles  rules  and  regulations  of  the  Continental 
army. 

Art.  33.  No  general  court-martial  shall  consist  of  a  less 
number  than  thirteen,  none  of  which  shall  be  under  the 
degree  of  a  commissioned  officer;  and  the  president  shall 
be  a  field  officer;  and  the  president  of  each  and  every 
court-martial,  whether  general  or  regimental,  shall  have 
power  to  administer  an  oath  to  every  witness,  in  order  to 
the  trial  of  off"enders.  And  the  members  of  all  courts- 
martial  shall  be  duly  sworn  by  the  president;  and  the 
next  in  rank  on  the  court-martial,  shall  administer  the 
oath  to  tlie  president. 

Art.  34.  The  members,  both  of  general  and  regimental 
courts-martial,  shall,  when  belonging  to  different  corps, 
take  the  same  rank  which  they  hold  in  the  army;  but 
when  courts-martial  shall  be  composed  of  officers  of  one 
corps,  they  shall  take  their  ranks  according  to  their 
commissions  by  which  they  are  mustered  in  the  said 
corps. 

Art.  35.  All  the  members  of  a  court-martial,  are  to 
behave  with  calmness,  decency  and  impartiality  ;  and  in 
giving  of  their  votes  are  to  begin  with  the  youngest  or 
lowest  in  commission. 

Art.  3G.  No  field  officer  shall  be  tried  by  any  person 
under  the  degree  of  a  Captain  ;  nor  shall  any  proceed- 
ings or  trials  be  carried  on,  excepting  between  the  hours 
of  eight  in  the  morning,  and  three  in  the  afternoon,  ex- 
cept in  cases  which  require  an  immediate  example. 

Art.  37.  The  commissoned  officers  of  every  regiment 
may,  by  the  appointment  of  their  Colonel  or  commanding 
officer,  hold  regimental  courts-martial  for  the  inquiring 
into  such  disputes  or  criminal  matters  as  may  come  be- 
fore them,  and  for  the  inflicting  corporal  punishments, 
for  small  offences,  and  shall  give  judgment  by  the  ma- 
jority of  voices ;  but  no  sentence  shall  be  executed  till 
the  commanding  officer,  (not  being  a  member  of  the 
court-martial)  shall  have  confirmed  the  same. 

Art.  38.  No  regimental  court-martial  shall  consist  of 
less  than  five  officers,  excepting  in  cases  where  that  num- 
ber 


272 


ber  cannot  be  conveniently  assembled,  when  three  may 
be  sufficient;  who  are  likewise  to  determine  upon  the 
sentence  by  the  majority  of  voices;  which  sentence  is  to 
be  confirmed  by  the  commanding  officer,  not  being  a 
member  of  the  court-martial. 

Art.  39.  Every  officer,  commanding  any  fort,  castle  or 
barrack,  or  elsewhere,  where  the  corps  under  his  com- 
mand consists  of  detachments  from  different  regiments,  or 
of  independent  companies,  may  assemble  courts-martial 
for  the  trial  of  offenders  in  the  same  manner  as  if  they 
were  regimental,  whose  sentence  is  not  to  be  executed  till 
it  shall  be  confirmed  by  the  said  commanding  officer. 

Art.  40.  No  person  whatsoever  shall  use  menacing 
words,  signs  or  gestures  in  the  presence  of  a  court- 
martial  then  sitting,  or  shall  cause  any  disorder  or  riot, 
so  as  to  disturb  their  proceeding,  on  the  penalty  of  being 
punished  at  the  discretion  of  the  said  court-martial. 

Art.  41.  To  the  end  that  offenders  may  be  brought  to 
justice;  whenever  any  officer  or  soldier  shall  commit  a 
crime  deserving  punishment,  he  shall  by  his  command- 
ing officer,  if  an  officer,  be  put  in  arrest;  if  a  non-com- 
missioned officer  or  soldier,  be  imprisoned  till  he  shall 
be  either  tried  by  a  court-martial,  or  shall  be  lawfully 
discharged  by  proper  authority. 

Art.  42.  No  officer  or  soldier  who  shall  be  put  in  arrest, 
or  imprisonment,  shall  continue  in  his  confinement  more 
than  eight  days,  or  till  such  time  as  a  court-martial  can  be 
conveniently  assembled. 

Art.  43.  No  officer  commanding  a  guard,  or  provost 
marshal,  shall  refuse  to  receive  or  keep  any  prisoner 
committed  to  his  charge,  by  an  officer  belonging  to  the 
Continental  forces;  which  officer  shall  at  the  same  time 
deliver  an  account  in  writing,  signed  by  himself,  of  the 
crime  with  which  the  said  prisoner  is  charged. 

Art.  44.  No  officer  commanding  a  guard,  or  provost 
marshal,  shall  presume  to  release  any  prisoner  commit- 
ted to  his  charge,  without  proper  authority  for  so  doing; 
nor  shall  he  suffer  any  prisoner  to  escape,  on  the  penalty 
of  being  punished  for  it,  by  the  sentence  of  a  general 
court-martial. 

Art.  45.  Every  officer  or  provost  marshal,  to  whose 

charge 


273 


charge  prisoners  shall  be  committed,  is  hereby  required, 
within  twetity-four  hours  after  such  commitment,  or  as 
soon  as  he  shall  be  relieved  from  his  guard,  to  give  in 
writing  to  the  Colonel  of  the  regiment  to  whom  the  pris- 
oner belongs  (where  the  prisoner  is  confined  upon  the 
guard  belonging  to  the  said  regiment,  and  that  his 
offence  only  relates  to  the  neglect  of  duty  in  his  own 
corps)  or  to  the  Commander-in-Chief,  their  names,  tiieir 
crimes,  and  the  names  of  the  officers  who  committed 
them,  on  the  penalty  of  being  punished  for  his  disobedi- 
ence or  neglect,  at  the  discretion  of  a  general  court- 
martial. 

Art.  46.  And  if  any  officer  under  arrest,  shall  leave  his 
confinement  before  he  is  set  at  liberty  by  the  officer  who 
confined  him,  or  by  a  superior  power,  he  shall  be  cash- 
iered for  it. 

Art  47.  Whatsoever  commissioned  officer  shall  be  con- 
victed before  a  general  court-martial,  of  behaving  in  a 
scandalous,  infamous  manner,  such  as  is  unbecoming  the 
character  of  an  officer  and  a  gentleman,  shall  be  dis- 
charged from  the  service. 

Art.  48.  All  officers,  conductors,  gunners,  matrosses, 
drivers,  or  any  other  persons  whatsoever,  receiving  pay 
or  hire  in  the  service  of  the  Continental  artillery,  shall 
be  governed  by  tlie  aforesaid  rules  and  articles,  and  shall 
be  subject  to  be  tried  by  courts-martial,  in  like  manner 
with  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Continental  troops. 

Al  t.  49.  For  differences  arising  amongst  themselves,  or 
in  matters  relating  solely  to  tiieir  own  Corps,  the  courts- 
martial  may  be  composed  of  their  own  officers ;  but  where 
a  number  sufficient  of  such  officers  cannot  be  assembled, 
or  in  matters  wherein  other  corps  are  interested,  the  offi- 
cers of  artillery  shall  sit  in  courts-martial  with  the  officers 
of  the  other  corps. 

Art.  50.  All  crimes  not  capital,  and  all  disorders  and 
neglects,  which  officers  and  soldiers  may  be  guilty  of,  to 
the  ]»rejudice  of  good  order  and  military  discipline, 
thougli  not  mentioned  in  the  articles  of  war,  are  to  be 
taken  cognizance  of  by  a  general  or  regimental  court- 
martial,  according  to  the  nature  and  degree  of  the  offence, 
and  be  punished  at  their  discretion. 

Art. 

19  • 


274 


Art.  51.  Tliat  no  persons  shall  be  sentenced  by  a  court- 
martial  to  suffer  death,  except  in  the  cases  expressly 
mentioned  in  the  foregoing  articles;  nor  shall  any  pun- 
ishment be  inflicted  at  the  discretion  of  a  court-martial, 
other  than  degrading,  cashiering,  drumming  out  of  the 
army,  whipping  not  exceeding  thirty-nine  lashes,  fine 
not  exceeding  two  months  pay  of  the  off'ender,  imprison- 
ment not  exceeding  one  month. 

Art.  52.  The  field  officers  of  each  and  every  regiment 
are  to  appoint  some  suitable  person  belonging  to  such 
regiment,  to  receive  all  such  fines  as  may  arise  within 
the  same  for  any  breach  of  any  of  the  foregoing  articles, 
and  shall  direct  the  same  to  be  carefully  and  properly 
applied  to  the  relief  of  such  sick,  wounded  or  necessitous 
soldiers,  as  belong  to  such  regiment ;  and  such  person 
shall  account  with  such  officer  for  all  fines  received,  and 
the  application  thereof. 

Art.  53.  All  members  sitting  in  courts-martial  shall  be 
sworn  by  the  President  of  said  courts,  which  President 
shall  himself  be  sworn  by  the  officer  in  said  court  next 
in  rank:  The  oath  to  be  administered  previous  to  their 
proceeding  to  the  trial  of  any  offender,  in  form  following, 
viz.: 

You,  A.  B.,  swear  that  you  will  well  and  truly  try,  and 
impartially  determine,  the  case  of  the  prisoner  now  to  be 
tried,  according  to  the  rules  for  regulating  the  Continental 
army.    So  help  you  God. 

Art.  54.  All  persons  called  to  give  evidence,  in  any 
case,  before  a  court-martial,  who  shall  refuse  to  give  evi- 
dence, shall  be  punished  for  such  refusal,  at  the  discretion 
of  such  court-martial :  The  oath  to  be  administered  in 
the  form  following,  viz: 

You  swear  the  evidence  you  shall  give  in  the  case  now 
in  hearing,  shall  be  the  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  noth- 
ing but  the  truth.    So  help  you  God. 

Art.  55.  Every  officer  commanding  a  regiment,  troop 
or  company,  shall,  upon  notice  given  to  him  by  the 
Commissary  of  the  Musters,  or  from  one  of  his  Deputies, 
assemble  the  regiment,  troop  or  company  under  his  com- 
mand, in  the  next  convenient  place  for  their  being  mus- 
tered. 

Art. 


275 


Art.  50.  Every  Colonel  or  other  field  officer,  or  officer 
commanding  any  corps,  to  which  there  is  no  field  officer, 
and  actually  residing  with  it,  may  give  furloughs  to  non- 
commissioned officers  and  soldiers,  in  such  numbers,  and 
for  so  long  a  time,  as  he  shall  judge  to  be  most  consistent 
with  the  good  of  the  service;  but  no  non-commissioned 
officer  or  soldier  shall,  by  leave  of  his  Captain,  or  inferior 
officer,  commanding  the  troop  or  company  (his  field  offi- 
cer not  being  present)  be  absent  above  twenty  days  in  six 
months,  nor  shall  more  than  two  private  men  be  absent 
at  the  same  time  from  their  troop  or  company,  excepting 
some  extraordinary  occasion  shall  require  it,  of  which 
occasion  the  field  officer  present  with,  and  commanding 
the  regiment  or  independent  corps,  is  to  be  judge. 

Art.  57.  At  every  muster  the  commanding  officer  of 
each  regiment,  troop  or  company,  then  present,  shall  give 
to  the  Commissary  of  Musters  certificates  signed  by  him- 
self, signifying  how  long  such  officers,  non-commissioned 
officers,  and  soldiers,  who  shall  not  appear  at  the  said 
muster,  have  been  absent,  and  the  reason  of  their  absence ; 
which  reasons,  and  the  time  of  absence,  shall  be  inserted 
in  the  muster  rolls  opposite  to  the  respective  names  of 
such  absentees :  the  said  certificates  shall,  together  with 
the  muster  rolls,  be  by  the  said  Commissary  transmitted 
to  the  General,  and  to  this  or  any  future  Congress  of  the 
United  Colonies,  or  Committee  appointed  thereby,  within 
twenty  days  next  after  such  muster  being  taken  ;  on  fail- 
ure whereof  the  Commissary  so  offending,  shall  be  dis- 
charged from  the  service. 

Art.  58.  Every  officer  who  shall  be  convicted  before  a 
general  court  martial  of  having  signed  a  false  certificate, 
relating  to  the  absence  of  either  officer,  non-commissioned 
officer  or  private  soldier,  shall  be  cashiered. 

Art.  59.  Every  officer  who  shall  knowingly  make  a 
false  muster  of  man  or  horse,  and  every  officer  or  Com- 
missary, who  shall  willingly  sign,  direct  or  allow  the 
signing  of  the  muster  rolls,  wherein  such  false  muster  is 
contained,  shall,  upon  proof  made  thereof,  by  two  wit- 
nesses, before  a  general  court-martial,  be  cashiered,  and 
moreover  forfeit  all  such  pay  as  may  be  due  to  him  at 
the  time  of  conviction  for  such  offence. 

Art, 


276 


Art.  60.  Any  Commissary  who  shall  be  convicted  of 
having  taken  any  gift  or  gratuity  on  the  mustering  any 
regiment,  troop  or  company,  or  on  the  signing  the  muster 
rolls,  shall  be  displaced  from  his  office,  and  forfeit  his 
pay,  as  in  the  preceding  article. 

Art.  61.  Any  officer  who  shall  presume  to  muster  any 
person  as  a  soldier,  who  is  at  other  times  accustomed  to 
wear  a  livery,  or  who  does  not  actually  do  his  duty  as  a 
soldier,  shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  having  made  a  false 
muster,  and  shall  suffer  accordingly. 

Art.  62.  Every  officer  who  shall  knowingly  make  a 
false  return  to  the  Oommander-in-Chief  of  the  American 
forces,  or  to  any  his  superior  officer,  authorized  to  call  for 
such  returns,  of  the  state  of  the  regiment,  troop,  inde- 
pendent company  or  garrison,  under  his  command,  or  of 
arms,  ammunition,  clothing  or  other  stores  thereunto  be- 
longing, shall,  by  a  court-martial,  be  cashiered. 

Art.  63.  The  commanding  officer  of  every  regiment, 
troop,  independent  company  or  garrison,  in  the  service 
aforesaid,  shall,  in  the  beginning  of  every  month  remit 
to  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  said  forces  an  exact  return 
of  tlie  state  of  the  regiment,  troop,  independent  company, 
or  garrison  under  his  command,  specifying  the  names  of 
the  officers  not  then  residing  at  their  posts,  and  the  rea- 
son for,  and  time  of  their  absence:  Whoever  shall  be 
convicted  of  having,  through  neglect  or  design,  omitted 
tlie  sending  such  returns, shall  be  punished  according  to 
the  nature  of  his  crime,  by  the  judgment  of  a  general 
court-martial. 

Art.  64.  No  suttler  shall  be  permitted  to  sell  any  kind 
of  liquors  or  victuals,  or  to  keep  their  houses  or  shops 
open,  for  the  entertainment  of  soldiers,  after  nine  at 
night,  or  before  the  beating  of  the  reveilles,  or  upon 
Sundays,  during  divine  service  or  sermon,  on  the  penalty 
of  being  dismissed  from  all  future  suttling. 

Art.  65.  All  officers  commanding  in  the  camp,  or  in 
any  forts,  barracks,  or  garrisons,  are  hereby  required  to 
see  that  the  persons  permitted  to  suttle,  shall  supply  the 
soldiers  with  good  and  wholesome  provisions  at  a  reason- 
able price,  as  they  shall  be  answerable  for  their  neglect. 

Art.  66.  No  officers  commanding  in  any  camp,  garri- 
sons, 


277 


sons,  forts,  or  barracks,  shall  either  themselves  exact  ex- 
orbitant prices  for  houses  or  stalls,  let  out  to  suttlers,  or 
shall  connive  at  the  like  exactions  in  others,  nor  lay  any 
duty  or  impositions  upon,  or  be  interested  in  the  sale  of 
such  victuals,  liquors,  or  other  neccessaries  of  life,  which 
are  broufjht  into  the  camp,  garrison,  fort  or  barracks,  for 
the  use  of  the  soldiers,  on  the  penalty  of  being  discharged 
from  the  service. 

Art.  G7.  That  the  General,  or  Commander-in-chief,  for 
the  time  being,  shall  have  full  power  of  pardoning,  or 
mitigating  any  of  the  punishments  ordered  to  beinflcted, 
for  any  of  the  offences  mentioned  in  the  foregoing  arti- 
cles; and  every  offender  convicted  as  aforesaid,  by  any 
regimental  court-martial,  may  be  pardoned,  or  have  his 
punishment  mitigated  by  the  Colonel  or  officer  com- 
manding the  regiment. 

Art.  68.  When  any  commissioned  officers  shall  happen 
to  die  or  be  killed  in  the  service  of  the  United  Colonies, 
the  Major  of  the  reeiment,  or  the  officer  doing  the  Major's 
duty  in  his  absence,  shall  immediately  secure  all  his 
effects  or  equipage  then  in  camp  or  quarters;  and  shall, 
before  the  next  regimental  court-martial,  make  an  inven- 
tory thereof,  and  forthwith  transmit  to  the  office  of  the 
Secretary  of  the  Congress,  or  Assembly  of  the  Province 
in  which  the  corps  is  stationed,  or  shall  happen  to  be  at 
the  time  of  the  death  of  such  officer;  to  the  end,  that  his 
executors  may,  after  payment  of  his  debts  in  quarters, 
and  interment,  receive  the  overplus,  if  any  be,  to  his  or 
their  use. 

Art.  69.  When  any  non-commissioned  officer,  or  pri- 
vate soldier,  shall  happen  to  die  or  be  killed  in  the 
service  of  the  United  Colonies,  the  then  commanding 
officer  of  the  troop  or  company  shall,  in  the  presence  of 
two  other  commissioned  officers,  take  an  account  of  what- 
ever effects  he  dies  possessed  of,  and  transmit  the  same, 
as  in  the  case  above  provided  for,  in  order  that  the  same 
may  be  secured  for,  and  paid  to  their  respective  repre- 
sentatives. 

In 


278 


In  Congress,  November  7,  1775. 

Resolved,  That  tlie  following  additions  and  alterations 
or  amendments,  be  made  in  the  Rules  and  Regulations 
of  the  Continental  array,  viz  : 

1.  All  persons  convicted  of  holding  a  treacherous  cor- 
respondence with,  or  giving  intelligence  to  the  enemy, 
shall  suffer  death,  or  such  other  punishment  as  a  general 
court-martial  shall  think  proper. 

2  All  commissioned  officers  found  guilty  by  a  general 
court-martial  of  any  fraud  or  embezzlement,  shall  forfeit 
all  his  pay,  be  ipso  facto  cashiered,  and  deemed  unfit  for 
further  service  as  an  officer. 

3.  All  non-commissioned  officers  and  soldiers  convicted 
before  a  regimental  court-martial  of  stealing,  embezzling 
or  destroying  ammunition,  provisions,  tools,  or  anytliing 
belonging  to  the  public  stores,  if  a  non-commissioned 
officer,  to  be  reduced  to  the  ranks,  and  punished  with 
whipping,  not  less  than  fifteen,  nor  more  than  thirty-nine 
lashes,  at  the  discretion  of  the  court-martial ;  if  a  private 
soldier,  with  the  same  corporal  punishment. 

4.  In  all  cases  where  a  commissioned  officer  is  cash- 
iered for  cowardice  or  fraud,  it  be  added  in  the  punish- 
ment that  the  crime,  name,  place  of  abode,  and  punish- 
ment of  the  delinquent  be  published  in  the  newspapers, 
in  and  about  the  camp,  and  of  that  Colony  from  which 
the  offender  came  or  usually  resides;  after  which  it  shall 
be  deemed  scandalous  in  any  officer  to  associate  with 
him. 

5.  Any  officer  or  soldier  who  shall  begin,  excite,  cause, 
or  join  in  any  mutiny  or  sedition  in  the  regiment,  troop 
or  company  to  which  he  belongs,  or  in  any  other  regi- 
ment troop  or  company  of  the  Continental  forces,  either 
by  land  or  sea,  or  in  any  party,  post,  detachment  or 
guard,  on  any  pretence  whatsoever,  shall  suffer  death  or 
such  other  punishment  as  a  general  court-martial  shall 
direct. 

6.  Any  officer  or  soldier  who  shall  desert  to  the  enemy, 
and  afterwards  be  taken,  shall  suffer  death  or  such  otiier 
punishment  as  a  general  court-martial  shall  direct. 

7.  Whatsoever  commissioned  officer  shall  be  found 

drunk 


279 


drunk  on  his  guard,  party  or  other  duty,  under  arms, 
shall  be  cashiered  and  drummed  out  of  the  army  with 
infamy;  any  non-commissioned  officer  or  soldier,  so 
offending,  shall  be  sentenced  to  be  whipt,  not  less  than 
twenty  nor  more  than  thirty-nine  lashes,  according  to 
the  nature  of  the  offence. 

8.  Whatsoever  officer  or  soldier,  placed  as  sentinel, 
shall  be  found  sleeping  upon  his  post,  or  shall  leave  it 
before  he  shall  be  regularly  relieved,  if  a  commissioned 
officer,  shall  be  cashiered  and  drummed  out  of  the  army 
with  infamy;  if  a  non-commissioned  officer  or  soldier, 
shall  be  sentenced  to  be  whipped,  not  less  than  twenty 
nor  more  than  thirty-nine  lashes,  according  to  the  nature 
of  the  offence. 

9.  No  officer  or  soldier  shall  lie  out  his  quarters  or 
camp,  without  leave  from  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
regiment,  upon  penalty,  if  an  officer,  of  being  mulcted 
one  month's  pay  for  the  first  offence,  and  cashiers  d  for 
the  second;  if  a  non-commissioned  officer  or  soldier,  of 
being  confined  seven  days  on  bread  and  water  for  the 
first  offence,  and  the  same  punishment  and  a  forfeiture 
of  a  week's  pay  for  the  second. 

10.  Whatsoever  officer  or  soldier  shall  misbehave  him- 
self before  the  enemy,  or  shamefully  abandon  any  post 
committed  to  his  charge,  or  shall  speak  words,  inducing 
others  to  do  the  like,  shall  suffer  death. 

11.  All  public  stores  taken  in  the  enemy's  camp  or 
magazines,  whether  of  artillery,  ammunition,  clothing  or 
provisions,  shall  be  secured  for  the  use  of  the  United 
Colonies.  And  all  commissioned  officers  found  guilty, 
by  a  general  court-martial,  of  embezzling  the  same,  or 
any  of  them,  shall  forfeit  all  his  pay,  be  ipso  facto  cash- 
iered, and  be  deemed  unfit  for  farther  service  as  an  offi- 
cer. And  all  non-commissioned  officers  and  soldiers, 
convicted  before  a  regimental  court-martial  of  stealing 
or  embezzling  the  same,  if  a  non-commissioned  officer, 
shall  be  reduced  to  the  ranks  and  punished  with  whip- 
ping not  less  than  fifteen  nor  more  than  thirty-nine 
lashes,  at  the  discretion  of  the  court-martial ;  if  a  private 
soldier,  with  the  same  punishment. 

12.  If  any  officer  or  soldier  shall  leave  his  post  or 

colours, 


280 


colours,  in  time  of  an  engagement,  to  go  in  search  of 
plunder,  he  shall  if  a  commissioned  officer,  be  cashiered 
and  drummed  out  of  the  army  with  infamy,  and  forfeit 
all  share  of  plunder;  if  a  non-commissioned  officer  or 
soldier,  be  whipped,  not  less  than  twenty  nor  more  than 
thirty-nine  lashes,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  offence, 
and  forfeit  all  share  of  plunder  taken  from  the  enemy. 

13.  Every  officer  commanding  a  regiment,  troop  or 
company,  shall,  upon  notice  given  to  him  by  the  com- 
missary of  the  musters,  or  from  one  of  his  Deputies, 
assemble  the  regiment,  troop  or  company  under  his  com- 
mand, in  the  next  convenient  place  for  their  being  mus- 
tered, on  penalty  of  his  being  cashiered,  and  mulcted  of 
his  pay. 

14.  At  every  muster,  the  commanding  officer  of  each 
regiment,  troop  or  company,  there  present,  shall  give  to 
the  commissary  of  musters  certificates,  signed  by  himself, 
signifying  how  long  such  officers,  non-commissioned  offi- 
cers and  soldiers,  who  shall  not  appear  at  the  said  mus- 
ter, have  been  absent,  and  the  reason  of  their  absence; 
which  reasons,  and  the  time  of  absence,  shall  be  inserted 
in  the  muster  rolls,  opposite  to  the  names  of  such  ab- 
sentees; and  the  surgeons  or  their  mafes  shall,  at  the 
same  time,  give  to  the  commissary  of  musters  a  certifi- 
cate signed  by  them,  signifying  the  state  of  health  or 
sickness  of  those  under  their  care,  and  the  said  certificates 
shall,  together  with  the  muster  rolls,  be,  by  the  said  com- 
missary, transmitted  to  the  General,  and  to  this  or  any 
future  Congress  of  the  United  Colonies  or  Committee  ap- 
pointed thereby,  within  twenty  days  next  after  sucli 
muster  being  taken,  on  failure  whereof  the  commissary, 
so  offending,  shall  be  discharged  from  the  service. 

15.  Every  officer  who  shall  be  convicted,  before  a 
general  court-martial,  of  having  signed  a  false  certificate 
relating  to  the  absence  of  either  officer,  non-commis- 
sioned officer  or  private  soldier ;  and  every  surgeon  or 
mate  convicted  of  signing  a  false  certificate,  relating  to 
the  health  or  sickness  of  those  under  his  care,  shall  be 
cashiered. 

16.  All  officers  and  soldiers  who  shall  wilfully  or 
through   negligence,  disobey  any   general   or  special 

orders, 


281 


orders,  shall  be  punished  at  the  discretion  of  a  regi- 
mental court-martial,  where  the  ottence  is  against  a 
regimental  order,  and  at  the  discretion  of  a  general 
court-martial,  where  the  offence  is  against  an  order  given 
from  the  Commander-in-chief,  or  the  commanding  officer 
of  any  detachment  or  post,  and  such  general  court-martial 
can  be  had. 

By  order  of  the  Congress, 

John  Hancock, 

President. 

A  true  copy  from  the  Minutes, 

Charles  Thompson, 

Secretary. 

New 


New  Jersey  Assembly. 


At  a  sitting  began  at  Burlington,  Wednesday,  Novem- 
ber 15,  1775,  and  continued  until  the  6th  day  of  Decem- 
ber following,  being  the  second  sitting  of  the  Fourth 
Session  of  the  Twenty-second  Assembly  of  New  Jersey. 

NAMES  OF  THE  REPRESENTATIVES. 

City  of  Perth  Amboy — Cortland  Skinner,  Speaker,  John 
Combs. 

Middlesex — John  Wetherill,  Azariah  Dunham. 
Monmouth — Edward  Taylor,  Richard  Lawrence. 
Essex — Stephen  Crane,  Henry  Garritse. 
Somerset — Hendrick  Fisher,  John  Roy. 
Bergen — Theunis  Dey,  John  Demarest. 
Morris — Jacob  Ford,  William  Winds. 
City  of  Burlington — James  Kinsey,  Thomas  P.  Hew- 
lings. 

County  of  Burlington — Henry  Paxson,  Anthony  Sykes, 
Gloucester — John  Hinchman,  Robert  F.  Price. 
Salem — Grant  Gibbon,  Benjamin  F.  Holme. 
Cape  May — Jonathan  Hand,  Eli  Eldridge. 
Hunterdon — Samuel  Tucker,  John  Mehelm. 
Cumberland — John  Shepperd,  Theophilus  Elmer. 
Sussex — Nathaniel  Pettit,  Joseph  Barton. 


Burlington,  Wednesday,  November  15,  1775. 

Pursuant  to  his  Excellency's  several  prorogations  of 
the  General  Assembly  from  time  to  time  till  this  day, 
several  Members  met,  and,  for  want  of  a  sufficient  num- 
ber to  make  a  House  for  business,  adjourned  till  to-mor- 
row morning,  ten  o'clock. 

Thursday, 


283 


Thursday,  November  IG,  1775. 

The  House  met,  and,  for  want  of  a  sufficient  number 
of  Members  to  make  a  House,  adjourned  to  three,  P.  M. 

The  House  met. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Fisher  and  Mr.  Paxson  do  wait  on 
his  Excellency,  and  acquaint  him  that  a  sufficient  num- 
ber of  Members  to  proceed  to  business  are  met,  and  ready- 
to  receive  anything  he  may  please  to  lay  before  them. 

Mr.  Deputy  Secretary  laid  before  the  House  the  several 
prorogations  of  the  House  since  last  session,  which  were 
read. 

Mr.  Fisher  reported  that  Mr.  Paxson  and  himself  waited 
upon  the  Governour,  according  to  order,  who  was  pleased 
to  say  the  House  should  hear  from  him  presently. 

A  Message  from  the  Governour,  by  Mr.  Deputy  Secre- 
tary Petti  t : 

Mr.  Speaker: — His  Excellency  is  in  the  Council 
Chamber,  and  requires  the  immediate  attendance  of  the 
House. 

Whereupon,  Mr.  Speaker  quitted  the  chair,  and,  with 
the  House,  went  to  wait  upon  the  Governour;  and  being 
returned,  Mr.  Speaker  resumed  the  chair,  and  reported 
that  the  House  had  waited  on  the  Governour,  who  was 
pleased  to  make  a  Speech  to  the  Council  and  this  House, 
of  which  Mr.  Speaker  said  he  had,  to  prevent  mistakes, 
obtained  a  copy.  And  the  same,  by  order  of  the  House, 
was  read,  and  is  as  follows,  viz : 

Gentlemen  of  the  Council,  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Assembly : 

I  have  called  this  meeting  that  you  might  have  an 
opportunity  of  transacting  such  business  as  the  publick 
exigencies  of  the  Province  require. 

Having  lately  said  so  much  to  you  concerning  the 
present  unhappy  situation  of  publick  affairs,  and  the 
destructive  measures  which  have  been  adopted  in  the 
Colonies,  under  the  pretence  of  necessity;  and  as  I  do  not 

yet 


284 


yet  see  that  the  urging  any  more  arguments  on  that  head 
has  a  chance  of  producing  any  good  effect,  I  shall  not 
endanger  the  liarmony  of  the  present  session  by  a  further 
discussion  of  the  subject. 

It  is  necessary,  however,  that  you  should  be  informed, 
"that  his  Majesty  laments  to  find  his  subjects  in  America 
so  lost  to  their  true  interests  as  neither  to  accept  the 
Resolution  of  the  House  of  Commons  of  the  20th  of  Feb- 
ruary, nor  make  it  the  basis  of  a  negotiation,  when,  in 
all  probability,  it  would  have  led  to  some  plan  of  accom- 
modation ;  and  that,  as  they  have  preferred' engaging  in 
a  rebellion  which  menaces  to  overthrow  the  Constitu- 
tion, it  becomes  His  Majesty's  duty,  and  is  his  firm  reso- 
lution, that  tlie  most  vigorous  efforts  should  be  made, 
both  by  sea  and  land,  to  reduce  his  rebellious  subjects  to 
obedience.  But  it  is  hoped  that,  unfavourable  as  the 
prospects  are  at  present,  the  time  will  come  when  men  of 
sense  and  friends  to  peace  and  good  order  will  see  the 
fatal  consequences  of  the  delusions  which  have  led  to  the 
measures  the  people  of  America  are  now  pursuing,  and 
that  we  may  yet  see  the  publick  tranquility  re-established, 
on  the  ground  of  the  terms  held  out  by  His  Majesty  and 
the  Parliament." 

It  is  likewise  proper  that  you  should  know  "  that  the 
Commanders  of  His  Majesty's  Squadrons  in  America 
have  orders  to  proceed,  as  in  the  case  of  a  Town  in 
actual  rebellion,  against  such  of  the  seaport  Towns  and 
places,  being  accessible  to  the  King's  Ships,  as  shall  offer 
any  violence  to  the  King's  Officers,  or  in  which  any 
Troops  shall  be  raised  or  military  works  erected,  other 
than  by  His  Majesty's  authority,  or  any  attempts  made 
to  seize  or  plunder  any  publick  magazine  of  Arms  or 
Ammunition." 

Although  the  King's  Officers  in  this  Province  have  not 
as  yet,  except  in  one  or  two  instances,  met  with  any  in- 
sults or  improper  treatment  from  any  of  the  inhabitants, 
yet  such  has  been  the  general  infatuation  and  disorder 
of  the  times,  that  had  I  followed  the  judgment  and  advice 
of  some  of  my  best  friends,  I  should  ere  this  have  sought 
(as  other  of  the  King's  Governours  have  done)  an  asylum 
on  board  of  one  of  His  Majesty's  Ships  ;  but  as  I  am  con- 
scious that  I  have  the  true  interest  and  welfare  of  the 

people 


285 


people  at  heart,  (thougli  I  am  so  unhappy  as  to  differ 
widely  in  opinion  with  their  Representatives,  respecting 
the  best  means  of  serving  them  in  the  present  crisis,)  I 
shall  continue  my  confidence  in  that  affection  and  regard 
which  I  have  on  so  many  occasions  experienced  from  all 
ranks,  during  my  residence  in  this  Colony.  I  have  in- 
deed the  stronger  inducement  to  run  this  risk,  and  to  use 
my  influence  with  the  other  Crown  Officers  to  do  the 
same,  because  our  retreat  would  necessarily  be  attributed 
to  either  the  effect  or  well  grounded  apprehension  of  vio- 
lence, and  of  course  subject  the  Colony  to  be  more  imme- 
diately considered  as  in  actual  rebellion,  and  be  productive 
of  mischiefs  which  it  is  my  earnest  inclination  and  deter- 
mination to  prevent,  as  far  as  may  be  in  my  power.  Let 
me  therefore,  gentlemen,  entreat  you  to  exert  your  influ- 
ence likewise  with  the  people,  that  they  may  not,  by  any 
action  of  theirs,  give  cause  for  the  bringing  such  calami- 
ties on  the  Province.  No  advantage  can  possibly  result 
from  the  seizing,  confinement,  or  ill  treatment  of  Officers, 
adequate  to  the  certain  damage  such  acts  of  violence 
must  occasion  the  Province  to  suffer. 

However,  gentlemen,  if  you  should  be  of  a  different 
opinion,  and  will  not  or  cannot  answer  for  our  safety,  all 
1  ask  is,  that  you  will  tell  me  so  in  such  plain,  open 
language  as  cannot  be  misunderstood  ;  for  as  sentiments 
of  independency  are,  by  some  men  of  present  conse- 
quence, openly  avowed,  and  essays  are  already  appear- 
ing in  the  publick  papers  to  ridicule  the  people's  fears  of 
that  horrid  measure,  and  remove  their  aversion  to  Re- 
publican Government,  it  is  high  time  that  every  man 
should  know  what  he  has  to  expect.  If,  as  I  hope,  you 
have  an  abhorrence  of  such  design,  you  will  do  your 
Country  an  essential  service  by  declaring  it  in  so  full 
and  explicit  terms  as  may  discourage  the  attempt.  You 
may  always  rely  on  finding  me  ready  to  co-operate  with 
you  in  every  proper  expedient  for  promoting  peace, 
order,  and  good  Government;  and  I  shall  deem  it  a  par- 
ticuhir  happiness  to  have  an  opportunity  of  being  instru- 
mental in  saving  this  Province  from  the  present  impend- 
ing danger. 

William  Franklin. 
Council  Chamber,  November  16,  1775. 

Ordered, 


286 


Ordered,  Tliat  his  Excellency's  Speech  be  read  a  second 
time. 

The  House  adjourned  till  ten  o'clock  to-morrow  morn- 
ing. 

Friday,  November  17,  1775, 

The  House  met. 

Mr.  Crane  had  leave  of  absence  on  special  occasion. 

Mr.  Speaker  laid  before  the  House  a  Letter  to  him 
from  Richard  Penn  and  Arthur  Lee,  Esqs. ;  which  was 
read,  and  the  same  is  as  follows,  viz. : 

London,  September  2,  1775. 

"Honourable  Sir: — On  the  21st  of  last  month  we 
sent  to  the  Secretary  of  State  for  America  a  copy  of  the 
petition  from  the  General  Congress,  and  yesterday,  the 
first  moment  that  was  permitted  us,  we  presented  to  him 
the  original,  which  his  Lordship  promised  to  deliver  to 
His  Majesty.  We  thought  it  our  duty  to  press  his  Lord- 
ship to  obtain  an  answer,  but  we  were  told  that,  as  His 
Majesty  did  not  receive  it  on  the  throne,  no  answer 
would  be  given. 

"  We  have  the  honour  of  being,  honourable  Sir,  your 
most  faithful  and  obedient  servants, 

"  Richard  Penn, 
"  Arthur  Lee. 
"  To  the  Honourable  the  Speaker  of  the  Assembly  of 
New  Jersey." 

Mr.  Kinsey  and  Mr.  De  Hart,  two  of  the  Delegates 
appointed  by  this  House  to  attend  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, applied  to  the  House  for  leave  to  resign  their  said 
appointmejits,  alleging  that  they  are  so  particularly  cir- 
cumstanced as  to  render  their  attendance  exceedingly 
inconvenient  to  their  private  affairs. 

Resolved,  That  the  House  will  take  this  matter  into 
consideration. 

The  House  adjourned  till  three,  P.  M. 

The 


287 


The  House  met. 

Several  Members  of  this  House  being  absent,  whereby 
the  publick  business  has  been  greatly  retarded, 

Ordered,  Ttat  the  Sergeant-at-Arms  do  give  notice 
forthwith  to  Benjamin  Holme,  Robert  F.  Price,  John 
Combs,  John  Wetherill,  Azariah  Dunham,  and  William 
"Winds,  Esqs.,  to  attend  their  service  here  immediately. 

Mr.  Mehelm  had  leave  to  be  absent  on  Monday  next, 
upon  special  business. 

The  House  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  to-morrow 
morning. 

Saturday.  November  18,  1775. 

The  House  met,  and  adjourned  till  Monday  morning, 
ten  o'clock. 


Monday,  November  20,  1775, 
The  House  met,  and  adjourned  till  three,  P.  M. 
The  House  met. 

Mr.  Combs  and  Mr.  Winds  appeared,  and  assigned 
to  the  House  satisfactory  reasons  for  their  non-appear- 
ance. 

A  Petition  was  presented  to  the  House,  from  fifty-two 
Inhabitants  of  the  Township  of  Chesterfield,  in  the 
County  of  Burlington,  setting  forth  their  abhorrence  of 
personal  Slavery,  and  praying  the  Legislature  to  take 
the  matter  into  their  most  serious  consideration,  and 
pass  an  Act  to  set  free  all  the  Slaves  now  in  the  Colony  ; 
which  Petition  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

His  Excellency's  Speech  was  read  the  second  time,  and 
committed  to  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House. 

The  House  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  to-morrow 
morning. 

Tuesday, 


288 


Tuesday,  November  21,  1775. 

The  House  met. 

A  Petition  was  presented  to  the  House,  from  divers  In- 
habitants of  the  County  of  Burlington,  praying  for  rea- 
sons therein  set  forth,  that  young  m^n  living  with  their 
parents  may  be  taxed  ;  the  same  was  read,  and  ordered  a 
second  reading. 

The  House,  according  to  order,  resolved  itself  into  a 
Committee  of  the  Whole  House  on  his  Excellency's 
Sneech ;  and  after  some  time  spent  therein,  Mr.  Speaker 
resumed  the  chair,  and  Mr.  Fisher,  Chairman  of  the 
Committee,  reported  that  the  Committee  had  gon.e 
through  the  Speech,  and  had  come  to  sundry  Resolu- 
tions, which  he  was  ready  to  report  whenever  the  House 
will  please  to  receive  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  the  Report  be  made  immediately ;  where- 
upon Mr.  Fisher  reported  the  Resolutions  of  the  Com- 
mittee, as  follow,  viz: 

1.  Resolved,  That  an  humble  Address  be  presented  to 
his  Excellency,  in  answer  to  his  Speech. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  G-overnment  of  this  Colony  be 
honourably  supported  from  the  1st  day  of  October,  1775, 
to  the  1st  day  of  October,  1776. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Fisher,  Mr.  Lawrence,  Mr.  Kinsey, 
and  Mr.  Gibbon,  be  a  Committee  to  prepare  and  bring  in 
the  draught  of  an  Address  to  his  Excellency  in  answer 
to  his  Speech. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Hinchman,  Mr.  Tucker,  Mr.  Shep- 
perd,  Mr.  Demarest,  and  Mr.  Sykes,  be  a  Committee  to 
prepare  and  bring  in  a  Bill  for  support  of  Government. 

The  House  adjourned  till  tliree  P.  M. 

The  House  met. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Elmer,  Mr.  Mehelm,  and  Mr.  Ford, 
be  a  Committee  to  bring  in  a  Bill  to  authorize  the  Justices 
and  Freeholders  of  the  several  Counties  to  pay  all  persons 
lieretofore  appointed  to  number  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
Colony. 

The 


289 


The  House  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock,  to-morrow 
morning. 

Wednesday,  November  22,  1775. 

The  House  met. 

The  House  took  into  consideration  the  request  of  James 
Kinsey,  and  John  DeHart,  Esqs.,  two  of  the  Delegates 
appointed  by  this  House  to  attend  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, for  leave  to  resign  their  said  appointments. 

Resolved,  That  the  reasons  given  by  those  gentlemen 
for  their  resignation  appear  to  the  House  to  be  satisfac- 
tory, and  that  their  resignation  be  therefore  accepted ; 
thereupon. 

Resolved  That  the  three  remaining  Delegates,  or  any 
two  of  them,  represent  the  Colony  during  the  present 
Continental  Congress. 

On  the  question  whether  the  House  agrees  to  this  last 
Resolve  or  not,  it  passed  in  the  affirmative,  as  follows, 
viz : 


Yeas — 

Mr.  Combs,  Demarest,  Holme, 

Taylor,  Ford,  Hand, 

Lawrence,  Winds,  Tucker, 

Garritse,  Kinsey,  Mehelm, 

Fisher,  Hewlings,  Shepperd, 

Roy,  Sykes,  Elmer, 

Dey,  Gibbon,  Barton. 


Nays — 

Mr.  Paxson,  Hinchman. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of,  and  this  House  do 
advise,  that  the  present  Committee  of  Correspondence 
may  draw  any  part  of  the  sum  of  one  thousand  Pounds, 
made  subject  to  their  order  by  an  Act  passed  in  1773,  not 
exceeding  two  hundred  Pounds,  to  pay  the  further  ex- 
penses of  the  Delegates  appointed  by  this  House  to  attend 

the 

20 


290 


the  Continental  Congress,  and  that  this  House  will  allow 
thereof. 

On  motion  made, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Taylor,  Mr.  Lawrence,  and  Mr. 
Combs,  be  a  Committee  to  prepare  and  bring  in  a  Bill  to 
enable  the  Justices  and  Freeholders  of  Monmouth  to 
elect  Loan  Officers. 

A  Message  from  his  Excellency,  by  Mr.  Deputy  Secre- 
tary Pettit. 

A  MESSAGE  TO  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

Gentlemen  : — As  I  understand  that  there  is  now  a  suf- 
ficient number  of  members  met  to  proceed  on  business  of 
every  kind  proper  for  your  consideration,  I  am  to  lay 
before  you  a  requisition  from  His  Majesty.  It  is  con- 
tained in  a  letter  which  I  lately  had  the  honour  of 
receiving  from  the  Right  Honourable  the  Earl  of  Dart- 
mouth, one  of  His  Majesty's  principal  Secretaries  of 
State.    His  Lordship  writes  thus: 

"I  enclose  an  order  of  His  Majesty  in  Council,  approv- 
ing an  act  for  striking  one  hundred  thousand  Pounds  in 
bills  of  credit,  and  directing  the  modes  for  sinking  the 
same." 

"  The  very  great  attention  which  has  been  shown  to 
the  wishes  of  the  Province,  in  the  allowance  of  the  loan 
act,  is  an  evidence  of  His  Majesty's  gracious  inclination 
to  grant  them  every  indulgence  that  can  consist  with  the 
true  principles  of  commerce  and  the  Constitution  ;  and  I 
beg  leave  to  assure  you  tliat  no  part  of  my  duty  is  more 
agreeable  to  me  than  carrying  into  execution  these  gra- 
cious intentions  of  my  royal  master." 

"At  the  same  time,  I  am  commanded  by  the  King  to 
say  to  you  that  it  would  have  been  more  agreeable  to 
His  Majesty,  if  the  Assembly,  instead  of  a  general  ap- 
propriation of  the  interest  of  the  loan  to  the  support  of 
Government,  in  such  manner  as  shall  be  directed  by 
future  acts,  had  thought  fit  to  make  a  settlement,  during 
the  existence  of  that  loan,  upon  the  civil  officers  of  Gov- 
ernment, of  salaries  more  suitable  to  their  respective 
offices  than  what  they  now  receive ;  and  to  appropriate  a 

specifick 


291 


specifick  portion  of  the  said  interest  to  building  houses 
for  the  residence  of  the  Governour  and  the  meeting  of 
the  Legislature,  of  which  you  say  there  is  a  shameful 
want.  Such  an  appropriation  is  no  more  than  what  they 
owe  to  the  dignity  of  their  own  Government  and  His 
Majesty's  just  expectations;  and  therefore  it  is  His 
Majesty's  pleasure,  that  you  do  require  the  Assembly,  in 
His  Majesty's  name,  to  make  such  provision  accordingly, 
trusting  that  they  will  not  make  such  an  ill  return  to 
His  Majesty's  grace  and  favour  in  the  confirmation  of 
this  law,  as  not  to  comply  with  so  just  and  reasonable  a 
requisition." 

I  shall  not.  gentlemen,  so  far  hazard  the  giving  you 
offence  as  to  suppose  that  any  arguments  can  be  requisite 
to  persuade  you  to  a  compliance  with  His  Majesty's  de- 
sire and  expectations  in  this  respect;  more  especially  as 
the  mode  for  raising  the  money  does  not  require  any  tax 
to  be  laid  on  tlie  inhabitants  of  the  Province,  and  will,  if 
adopted,  most  probably  be  the  means  of  establishing  a 
precedent  that  may  render  all  taxes  for  the  future  sup- 
port of  Government  unnecessary.  You  must  likewise  be 
fully  sensible,  that  as  the  King  has  manifested  such  con- 
fidence in  the  legal  representatives  of  the  people,  it  can- 
not but  be  their  interest  as  well  as  duty,  particularly  at 
this  time,  to  convince  him  that  that  confidence  is  not 
misplaced.  Besides,  such  repeated  declarations  have 
been  made  to  His  Majesty,  that  he  might  always  have 
the  firmest  reliance  on  the  compliance  of  his  subjects  in 
this  Colony  with  every  reasonable  requisition  in  their 
power;  and  this  being  so  evidently  of  that  nature,  I  can- 
not entertain  a  doubt  of  your  being  happy  in  having  so 
good  an  opportunity  of  demonstrating  that  you  mean 
your  actions  should  ever  correspond  with  your  professions. 

Wm.  Franklin. 

Burlington,  November  21,  1775. 

Which  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 
The  House  adjourned  till  three,  P.  M. 

) 

The  House  met.  / 
The  House  adjourned  till   nine  o'clock  to-morrow 
morning. 

•  Thursday, 


292 


Thursday,  November  23,  1775. 

The  House  met. 

A  Petition  was  presented  to  the  House,  from  thirty-two 
Freeholders  of  the  County  of  Burlington,  praying  the 
House  to  enter  into  such  Resolves  as  may  discourage  an 
Independency  on  Great  Britain,  and  that  they  will  also 
support  the  civil  Government,  as  heretofore,  viz  : 

PETITION  TO  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES. 

"The  Petition  of  divers  Freeholders  of  the  County  of 
Burlington  respectfully  sheweth : 

"That  your  Petitioners  are  deeply  impressed  with  a 
sense  of  the  calamitous  state  of  publick  affairs,  in  the 
unhappy  contest  which  at  present  subsists  between  Great 
Britain  and  her  Colonies.  That  they  sincerely  lament 
that  either  Country  should  dwell  so  much  on  their  own 
dignity  or  importance  as  to  delay,  for  one  moment,  to 
make  such  reasonable  propositions  as  should  lead  to  a 
happy  reconciliation  of  the  present  differences.  That 
your  Petitioners  are  greatly  alarmed  at  the  sentiments  of 
independency  which  are  openly  avowed  by  too  many 
people  at  this  time;  your  Petitioners  conceiving  that, 
should  such  an  event  take  place,  the  consequence  would 
be  the  destruction  of  the  interests  of  the  whole  British 
Empire,  and  a  perpetual  bar  to  every  door  of  peace  and 
reconciliation  between  the  Parent  State  and  the  Colonies. 
That  your  Petitioners  conceive  that  the  expenses  of  the 
opposition,  against  the  oppressive  measures  of  the  British 
Ministry  and  Parliament,  will  fall  most  heavy  on  the 
landed  interest,  being  the  only  permanent  estate;  and 
that  your  Petitioners,  as  a  part  of  that  interest,  have  an 
undoubted  right  to  be  heard,  and  their  reasonable  re- 
quests considered,  with  that  attention  which  their  situa- 
tion particularly  merits. 

Tliat,  in  the  opinion  of  your  Petitioners,  an  effectual 
opposition  may  be  made  against  the  measures  now  pur- 
suing by  the  Ministry  and  Parliament  of  Great  Britain, 
without  changing  the  constitutional  form  of  Govern- 
ment, in  the  British  Empire  established  ;  and  that  your 

Petitioners 


293 


Petitioners  have  not  the  least  desire  that  the  union  of  the 
Colonies,  in  that  opposition,  should  be  broken,  which 
they  think  the  establishment  of  an  independency  would 
eflfect.  That  as  the  King  has  objected  to  the  receiving  of 
the  Petition  of  the  Congress,  (as  we  suppose)  because  it 
did  not  come  through  the  accustomed  and  constitutional 
channel,  with  due  submission  to  the  honourable  House, 
it  is  the  sense  of  your  Petitioners  that  that  mode  ought 
to  be  tried,  and  the  reasons  why  we  cannot  accede  to  the 
proposition  of  the  House  of  Commons,  on  the  20tli  day 
of  February  last,  should  modestly  be  set  forth  ;  at  the 
same  time  declaring  our  desire  of  a  perpetual  union,  and 
our  willingness  to  contribute  our  just  proportion  to  the 
support  of  the  whole  Empire,  according  to  the  utmost  of 
our  ability,  whenever  constitutionally  required  so  to  do. 

Your  Petitioners  therefore  pray  that  your  honourable 
House  will  take  into  consideration  the  subject  matter  of 
this  Petition,  and  make  such  resolves  as  may  discourage 
an  independency,  should  such  a  measure  be  attempted, 
and  also  make  such  provision  for  the  support  of  the  civil 
Government  of  this  Colony  as  heretofore  ;  your  Peti- 
tioners hereby  making  their  solemn  protest  against  the 
change  of  the  form  of  Government,  as  by  law  established, 
and  declaring  that  it  is  not,  nor  never  was  their  intention 
to  vest  any  Congress  or  body  of  men  whatsoever  with 
that  power. 

John  Monrow,  Aaron  Barton, 

Ch.  Ph.  Hughes,  Samuel  Clark, 

Thomas  Shinn,  Jacob  Parker, 

Aaron  Smith,  John  Powell,  . 

William  Budd,  Thomas  Lee, 

Mahlon  Gaskill,  Aaron  Atkinson, 

Aquila  Shinn,  Jabez  Woolston, 

Thomas  Paxson,  Joseph  Burr,  Jun., 

Joseph  Mullen,  John  Comfort, 

Joseph  Weaver,  William  West, 

William  Norton,  Thomas  Hunloke, 

Joseph  Butterworth,      Hosea  Eyre, 
Josiah  White,  Henry  Burr, 

Francis  Vinecomb,         Samuel  Swain, 
George  West,  Daniel  Shields, 

Aaron  W^ills,  Thomas  Budd,  Jun. 

Which 


29  i 


Which  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Mr.  Ford,  from  the  Committee  on  tliat  service,  brought 
in  a  Bill  entitled  "An  Act  to  authorize  the  Board  of  Jus- 
tices and  Freeholders  of  the  several  Counties  in  the  Colony 
of  New  Jersey  to  defray  the  expense  of  taking  lists  of  the 
Inhabitants,"  which  was  read  the  second  time. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Kinsey,  Mr.  Crane,  Mr.  Fisher,  and 
Mr.  Paxson,  be  a  Committee  to  prepare  and  bring  in  the 
draught  of  Answer  to  the  said  Message. 

On  a  motion  made,  that  the  several  Barracks  in  this 
Colony  are  in  such  decay  that  unless  repaired  they  will 
be  in  ruins,  and  that  a  Resolve  may  pass,  that  this  House 
will  make  provision,  during  this  session^  for  repairing 
the  same,  the  question  was  taken,  whetlier  the  House 
will  enter  into  such  resolution  or  not.  It  passed  in  the 
negative,  viz : 


Yeas — 
Mr.  Crane, 
Fisher, 
Roy, 
Ford, 


Winds, 
Kinsey, 
Hinchman, 
Holme, 


Tucker, 
Mehelm, 
Elmer, 
Barton. 


Nays — 
Mr.  Combs, 
Taylor, 
Lawrence, 
Garritse, 
Dey. 


Demarest, 
Hewlings, 
Paxson, 
Sykes, 


Gibbon, 
Hand, 
Eldridge, 
Shepperd, 


The  House  took  into  consideration  the  several  Petitions 
referred  from  last  session,  for  and  against  a  Bill  for  the 
more  easy  manumission  of  Slaves;  the  Bill  being  read, 
after  some  time  spent  in  debate  thereon,  the  question 
was  put,  whether  the  Bill  shall  be  committed  or  not.  It 
passed  in  the  negative,  as  follows,  viz : 


Yeas — 
Mr.  Lawrence, 
Kinsey, 
Hewlings, 
Paxson, 


Sykes, 
Hinchman, 
Gibbon, 
Tucker. 


Mehelm, 

Shepperd, 

Elmer, 


Nays — 


295 


Nays — 

Mr.  Combs,  Roy,  Holme, 

Taylor,  Dey,  Hand, 

Crane,  Deniarest,  Eldridge, 

Garritse,  Ford,  Barton, 

Fisher,  Winds. 


Thereupon,  upon  the  question, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Bill  be  referred  to  the  next  ses- 
sion of  Assembly. 


Yeas — 

Mr.  Lawrence, 
Fisher, 
Roy, 
Ford, 
Kinsey, 

Nays — 

Mr.  Combs, 
Taylor, 
Crane, 
Garritse. 


Hewlings, 

Paxson, 

Sykes, 

Hinchman, 

Shepperd, 


Dey, 

Demarest, 
Winds, 


Gibbon, 

Holme, 

Tucker, 

Mehelm, 

Elmer, 


Hand, 

Eldridge, 

Barton, 


The  House  adjourned  till  three  P.  M. 
The  House  met. 

Mr.  Fisher,  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  bring  in 
tlie  draught  of  an  Address  to  his  Excellency,  produced  a 
draught  accordingly;  which  was  read,  and  ordered  to  be 
read  a  second  time. 

The  House  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  to-morrow 
morning. 

Friday,  November  24,  1775. 

The  House  met. 

Mr.  Crane  had  leave  of  absence  till  Monday  afternoon 
next. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Dennis  DeBerdt,  Esq.,  be,  and  he  is 

hereby 


296 


hereby  appointed  Agent  of  this  Colony  at  the  Court  of 
Great  Britain,  in  the  room  of  Benjamin  Franklin,  Esq. 

The  Address  to  his  Excellency  was  read  the  second 
time,  and  committed  to  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House. 

The  House  accordingly  resolved  itself  into  a  Commit- 
tee of  the  Whole  House  on  the  Address;  and  after  some 
time  spent  therein,  Mr.  Speaker  resumed  the  Chair,  and 
Mr.  Fisher,  Cliairman  of  the  Committee,  reported,  that 
the  Committee  had  made  some  progress  in  the  matter  to 
them  referred,  and  desired  leave  to  sit  again. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Committee  do  sit  again. 

The  House  adjourned  till  three  P.  M. 

The  House  met. 

Mr.  Taylor,  from  the  Committee  appointed  for  the 
purpose,  brought  in  a  Bill  entitled  "  A  supplementary 
Act  to  the  Act  entitled  'An  Act  for  striking  One  Hun- 
dred Thousand  Pounds  in  Bills  of  Credit,  and  directing 
the  mode  for  sinking  the  same;'"  which  was  read,  and 
ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  Petition  was  presented  to  the  House  from  thirty-four 
Freeholders  of  the  County  of  Burlington,  praying  the 
House  to  enter  into  such  resolves  as  may  discourage  an 
Independency  on  Great  Britain  and  to  support  the  civil 
Government  as  heretofore;  which  was  read,  and  ordered 
a  second  reading. 

The  House  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  to-morrow 
morning. 

Saturday,  November  25,  1775. 

The  House  met. 

The  House  again,  according  to  order,  resolved  itself 
into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House,  on  the  Address  to 
his  Excellency ;  and  after  some  time  spent  therein,  Mr. 
Speaker  resumed  the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Fisher,  Chairman 
of  the  Committee,  reported,  that  the  Committee  liad  gone 
through  the  Address,  and  had  made  sundry  amendments 
to  the  same,  which,  by  order  of  the  House,  be  reported, 
and  the  same  being  read,  and  further  amended  in  the 

House, 


297 


House,  the  further  consideration  thereof  was  referred  till 
the  afternoon. 

The  House  adjourned  till  three,  P.  M. 

The  House  met. 

Mr.  Hinchman  had  leave  of  absence  till  Monday  noon 
next. 

A  Petition  was  presented  to  the  House,  from  nineteen 
Freeholders  of  the  City  of  Burlington  and  parts  adjacent, 
praying  the  House  to  enter  into  such  Resolves  as  may 
discourage  an  Independency  on  Great  Britain,  and  that 
they  will  also  support  the  civil  Government,  as  usual; 
which  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  House  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  Address, 
with  the  amendments ;  and,  after  some  time  spent  therein, 
the  said  Address,  as  amended,  was  agreed  to,  and  ordered 
to  be  engrossed. 


Yeas — 

Mr.  Combs,  Winds,  Sheppard, 

Demarest,  Tucker,  Rf^y, 

Holme,  Garritse,  Gibbon, 

Taylor,  Hewlings,  Elmer, 

Ford,  Mehelm,  Dey, 

Eldridge,  Fisher,  Hand, 

Lawrence,  Sykes,  .  Barton. 


Nay- 
Mr.  Kinsey. 

The  House  adjourned  till  Monday  morning,  nine 
o'clock. 


Monday,  November  27,  1775.  . 

The  House  met. 

The  Bill  entitled  "  A  supplementary  Act  to  the  Act 
entitled  'An  Act  for  striking  One  Hundred  Thousand 
Pounds  in  Bills  of  Credit,  and  directing  the  mode  for 
sinking  the  same,'"  was  read  the  second  time,  amended 
in  the  House,  agreed  to,  and  ordered  to  be  engrossed. 

The 


298 


The  Bill  entitled  "  An  Act  to  authorize  the  Board  of 
Justices  and  Freeholders  of  the  several  Counties  in  the 
Colony  of  New  Jersey  to  defray  the  expense  of  taking 
Lists  of  the  Inhabitants,"  was  read  the  second  time, 
amended  in  the  House,  and  upon  the  question,  agreed  to, 
and  ordered  to  be  engrossed. 

A  Petition  was  presented  to  the  House,  from  forty-eight 
Freeholders  of  the  County  of  Burlington,  praying  the 
House  to  enter  into  such  resolves  as  may  discourage  an 
Independency  on  Great  Britain,  and  that  they  will  sup- 
port the  civil  Government  as  heretofore;  which  was  read 
and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Ordered,  That  the  Sergeant-at-Arms  do  summon  the 
signers  of  a  Petition  from  the  City  of  Burlington,  pre- 
sented to  the  House  on  Saturday  last,  to  attend  the  House 
at  four  o'clock  this  afternoon. 

Mr.  Tucker,  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  that 
service,  brought  in  a  Bill  entitled  "  An  Act  for  the  sup- 
port of  Government  of  His  Majesty's  Colony  of  New 
Jersey,  to  commence  the  first  day  of  October,  one  thou- 
sand seven  hundred  and  seventy-five,  and  to  end  the  first 
day  of  October,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy- 
six;  and  to  discharge  the  publick  debts,  and  contingent 
charges  thereof,"  which  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second 
reading. 

The  House  adjourned  till  three,  P.  M. 
The  House  met. 

The  engrossed  Bill  entitled  "  An  Act  to  authorize  the 
Board  of  Justices  and  Freeholders  of  the  several  Counties 
in  the  Colony  of  New  Jersey  to  defray  the  expense  of 
taking  Lists  of  the  Inhabitants,"  was  read  and  compared. 

On  the  question,  Resolved,  That  the  same  do  pass : 


Yeas — 
Mr.  Lawrence, 


Elmer, 
Roy, 


Hinchman 


Winds, 
Holme, 
Fisher, 


Paxson, 
Tucker, 


Gibbon, 
Barton, 


Mehelm, 
Ford, 


Hewlings, 


Demarest, 


Nays — 


299 


Nays- 
Mr.  Combs, 
Dey, 
Hand, 


Taylor, 

Sykes, 

Eldridge, 


Garritse, 

Kinsey, 

Shepperd. 


Ordered,  That  Mr.  Hewlings  do  carry  the  said  Bill  to  the 
Council  for  concurrence. 

Mr.  Hewlings  reported,  that  Mr.  Gibbon  and  himself 
delivered  the  Bill,  with  them  intrusted,  to  Mr.  Hopkinsou, 
one  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  Council,  the  Council  not 
then  sitting. 

According  to  order,  the  Petitioners  from  the  City  of 
Burlington  attended,  and  being  called  in,  and  heard, 

Ordered,  That  the  consideration  thereof  be  deferred  till 
to-morrow  morning. 

The  House  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock,  to-morrow 
morning. 


The  House  met. 

The  engrossed  Bill  entitled  "A  supplementary  Act  to 
the  Act  entitled  'An  Act  for  striking  One  Hundred 
Thousand  Pounds,  in  Bills  of  Credit,  and  directing  the 
mode  for  sinking  the  same,'"  was  read  and  compared; 
on  the  question. 

Resolved,  That  the  same  do  pass. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Lawrence  and  Mr.  Combs  do  carry 
the  said  Bill  to  the  Council  for  concurrence. 

The  House  was  moved,  that  a  Committee  be  appointed 
to  prepare  the  draught  of  a  Petition  to  His  Majesty, 
humbly  beseeching  him  to  use  his  interposition  to  pre- 
vent the  effusion  of  blood ;  and  to  express  the  great 
desire  this  House  hath  to  a  restoration  of  peace  and  har- 
mony with  the  Parent  State,  on  constitutional  principles. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Fisher,  Mr.  Kinsey,  Mr.  Paxson,  Mr. 
Tucker,  Mr.  Lawrence,  and  Mr.  Gibbon,  be  a  Committee 
to  prepare  and  bring  in  the  draught  of  a  Petition  accord- 
ingly- 

Mr.  Winds  had  leave  of  absence  for  the  remainder  of 
the  session,  upon  extraordinary  occasions. 


Tuesday,  November  28,  1775. 


The 


300 


The  House  took  into  consideration  the  inquiry  had 
yesterday,  touching  the  Petitions  presented  to  this 
House ;  and  it  appearing  from  the  Petitioners  of  the 
City  of  Burlington,  who  were  called  in  and  heard,  that 
they  signed  the  same  from  reports  that  some  men  affected 
independency,  and  being  alarmed  at  such  sentiments, 
they  were  induced  to  present  the  Petition,  hoping  that 
the  House  would  discourage  such  sentiments  by  their 
Resolutions;  whereupon,  the  several  Petitions  being  read 
the  second  time, 

1.  Resolved,  That  reports  of  Independency,  in  the  ap- 
prehension of  this  House,  are  groundless. 

2.  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Delegates 
of  the  Colony  to  use  their  utmost  endeavours  for  the 
obtaining  a  redress  of  American  grievances,  and  for  re- 
storing the  union  between  the  Colonies  and  Great  Britain, 
upon  constitutional  principles. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  said  Delegates  be  directed  not  to 
give  their  assent  to,  but  utterly  to  reject  any  propositions, 
if  such  should  be  made,  that  may  separate  this  Colony 
from  the  Mother  Country,  or  change  the  form  of  Govern- 
ment thereof. 

The  House  also  taking  into  consideration  the  conduct 
of  Mr.  Richard  Smith,  late  of  Philadelphia,  merchant, 
upon  the  hearing  had  yesterday. 

Ordered,  That  the  Sergeant-at-Arms  do  bring  the  said 
Richard  Smith  before  this  House,  at  four  o'clock  this 
afternoon,  to  answer  for  the  insult  offered  by  him  to  the 
House  during  the  said  hearing. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Tucker,  Mr.  Taylor,  Mr.  Shepperd, 
Mr.  Hewlings  and  Mr.  Gibbon,  or  any  three  of  them,  be 
a  Committee  to  settle  all  publick  Accounts  that  may 
come  before  the  House  this  session. 

The  House  adjourned  till  three  P.  M. 

The  House  met. 

Mr.  Richard  Smith  attending,  pursuant  to  the  order  of 
the  forenoon,  and  being  examined  as  to  the  words  spoken 
by  him  of  the  member,  informed  the  House  that  he 
neither  intended  any  offence  or  insult  to  the  House  or 
any  member  of  it,  and  that  he  is  sorry  any  member  of 
this  House  should  take  it  as  an  insult  upon  him;  with 

which 


301 


which  this  House  being  satisfied,  and  being  of  opinion 
that  it  appears  Mr.  Smith  really  misapprehended  the 
words  of  the  member,  and  that  the  same  member  is  not 
justly  chargeable  with  such  opinions,  do  discharge  Mr. 
Smith  from  any  further  attendance  on  the  House. 

The  House  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  to-morrow  morn- 
ing. 

Wednesday,  November  29,  1775. 

The  House  met. 

The  engrossed  Address  to  his  Excellency  was  read  and 
compared  ;  on  the  question, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Speaker  do  sign  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Tucker  and  Mr.  Elmer  do  wait  upon 
the  Governour,  and  desire  to  know  when  his  Excellency 
will  be  attended  by  the  House  with  their  Address. 

The  Bill  for  the  support  of  Government  was  read  the 
second  time,  and  committed  to  a  Committee  of  the  Whole 
House. 

The  House  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the 
Whole  House,  on  the  Bill  for  support  of  Government; 
and  after  some  time  spent  therein,  Mr.  Speaker  resumed 
the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Fisher,  Chairman  of  the  Committee, 
reported,  that  the  Committee  had  made  some  progress  in 
the  matters  to  them  referred,  and  desired  leave  to  sit 
again ;  to  which  the  House  agreed. 

The  House  adjourned  till  three,  P.  M. 

The  House  met. 

A  Message  from  theCouncil,by  Mr.  Stockton,  acquaint- 
ing the  House  that  the  Council  had  passed  the  Bill 
entitled  "An  Act  to  authorize  the  Board  of  Justices  and 
Freeholders  of  the  several  Counties  in  the  Colony  of  New 
Jersey  to  defray  the  expense  of  taking  Lists  of  the  In- 
habitants." 

The  House  again,  according  to  order,  resolved  itself 
into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House,  on  the  Bill  for 
support  of  Government;  and  after  some  time  spent 
therein,  Mr.  Speaker  resumed  the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Fisher, 
Chairman  of  the  Committee,  reported,  that  the  Commit- 
tee 


302 


tee  had  gone  through  the  matters  to  them  referred,  and 
had  come  to  several  Resolutions,  which  he  was  ready  to 
report  whenever  the  House  will  please  to  receive  the 
same. 

Ordered,  That  the  Report  be  made  immediately. 
Whereupon,  Mr.  Fisher  reported  the  Resolutions  of 
the  Committee,  as  follows,  viz: 

1.  Resolved,  That  in  and  by  the  said  Bill,  when  passed 
into  a  law,  there  be  paid  to  his  Excellency  William 
Franklin,  Esq.,  Governour  of  this  Colon}',  at  the  rate  of 
twelve  hundred  Pounds  per  annum,  Proclamation  Mone3% 
to  commence  the  first  day  of  October  last. 

And  on  the  question,  whether  the  House  agrees  to  the 
said  sum  or  not,  it  passed  in  the  affirmative,  as  follows: 


Yeas — 

Mr.  Crane, 
Ford, 
Eld  ridge, 
Garritse, 
Kinsey, 
Tucker, 


Fisher, 
Hewlings, 
Mehelm, 
Roy, 

Hinchman, 
Shepperd, 


Dey, 

Gibbon, 

Elmer, 

Demarest, 

Holme, 

Barton. 


Nays — 

Mr.  Combs,  Hand,  Sykes, 

Lawrence,  Taylor, 
who  voted  for  one  thousand  Pounds. 


2.  To  David  Ogden,  Esq., second  Justice  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  this  Colony,  at  the  rate  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  Pounds  per  annum,  money  aforesaid. 

And  on  the  question,  whether  the  House  agrees  thereto 
or  not,  it  passed  in  the  affirmative,  as  follows : 


Yeas — 

Mr.  Crane,  Mehelm,  Hinchman, 

Kinsey,  Roy,  Elmer, 

Holme,  S^'kes,  Ford, 

Fisher,  Shepperd,  Gibbon, 

Hewlings,  Demarest,  Barton, 

Nays- 


303 


Nays — 

Mr.  Combs,  Taylor, 
Garritse,  Dey, 
Eldridge,  Tucker, 

who  voted  for  one  hundred  Pounds. 


Lawrence, 
Hand, 


3.  To  Richard  Stockton,  Esq.,  third  Justice  of  the  Su- 
preine  Court  of  this  Colony,  at  the  rate  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  Pounds  per  annum,  money  aforesaid. 

And  on  the  question,  whether  the  Plouse  agrees  thereto 
or  not,  it  passed  in  the  affirmative,  as  follows  : 


Yeas — 
Mr.  Crane, 
Kinsey, 
Holme, 
Fisher, 
Hewlings, 

Nays — 
Mr.  Combs, 
Garritse, 
Eldridge, 


Mehelm, 

Roy, 

Sykes, 

Shepperd, 

Demarest, 


Taylor, 

Dey, 

Tucker, 


Hinchman, 

Elmer, 

Ford, 

Gibbon, 

Barton. 


Lawrence, 
Hand. 


4.  To  Cortland  Skinner,  Esq.,  Attorney  General  of  this 
Colony,  at  the  rate  of  forty  Pounds  per  annum,  money 
aforesaid. 

And  on  the  question,  whether  the  House  agrees  thereto 
or  not,  it  passed  in  the  affirmative,  as  follows: 


Yeas — 
Mr.  Crane, 
Kinsey, 
Holme, 
Garritse, 
Hewlings, 
Mehelm, 


Fisher, 
Sykes, 
Shepperd, 
Roy, 

Hinchman, 


Nays — 

Mr.  Combs,  Taylor, 

Dey,  Hand, 

Eldridge, 
who  voted  for  thirty  Pounds. 


Elmer, 

Demarest, 

Gibbon, 

Barton, 

Ford. 


Tucker, 
Lawrence, 


304 


5.  To  Joseph  Smith  and  John  Symth,  Esqs.,  Treasurers 
of  this  Colony,  each  at  the  rate  of  forty  Pounds  per  an- 
num, money  aforesaid. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

6.  To  the  Clerk  of  the  Council  for  the  time  being,  at 
the  rate  of  thirty  Pounds  per  annum,  money  aforesaid. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

7.  To  the  Agent  of  this  Colony  for  the  time  being,  at 
the  rate  of  one  hundred  Pounds  per  annum,  money 
aforesaid. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

8.  To  the  Clerk  of  the  Circuits  for  the  time  being,  re- 
siding in  this  Colony,  the  sum  of  twenty  Pounds  per 
annum,  money  aforesaid. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

9.  To  the  Doorkeeper  of  the  Council  of  this  Colony,  at 
the  rate  of  ten  Pounds  per  annum,  money  aforesaid. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

10.  To  his  Excellency  William  Franklin,  Esq.,  at  the 
rate  of  sixty  Pounds  per  annum,  money  aforesaid,  for 
house  rent,  provided  he  makes  Perth  Amboy  or  Burling- 
ton the  place  of  his  residence. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

11.  To  the  Justice  or  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
this  Colony,  for  attending  the  Circuit  Courts,  and  Courts 
of  Oyer  and  Terminer,  in  the  manner  prescribed  by  the 
said  Act,  the  sum  of  ten  Pounds  for  each  time. 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

12.  To  each  of  the  Council  for  the  time  being,  for  the 
time  they  may  attend  at  any  sitting  of  General  Assembly 
within  the  time,  eight  Shillings  per  day. 

On  the  question,  whether  the  sum  be  eight  Shillings  or 
six  Shillings,  it  was  carried  for  eight  Shillings,  as  follows, 
viz: 

Yeas — 


305 


Yeas — 
Mr.  Crane, 


Mehelm, 
Fisher, 
Kiiisey, 


Hewlings, 

Elmer, 

Dev. 

Hinchman, 
Barton. 


Demarest, 
Gibbon, 
Garritse, 
Ford, 


Shepperd, 
Roy, 


Nays — 
Mr.  Combs, 
Sykes, 
Eldridge, 


Taylor, 
Holme, 
Tucker, 


Lawrence, 
Hand, 


who  voted  for  six  Shillings. 

13.  To  Richard  Smith,  one  of  the  Clerks  of  the  House 
of  Representatives,  or  any  other  Clerk,  for  his  attendance, 
the  sum  of  ten  Shillings  per  day,  for  the  time  he  hath  or 
shall  attend  at  any  sitting  of  General  Assembly,  during 
the  continuance  of  this  Act ;  also,  the  sum  of  four  Pence 
per  sheet,  reckoning  ninety  words  to  the  sheet,  for  enter- 
ing the  Minutes  of  any  sitting,  during  the  continuance 
of  this  Act,  fair  in  the  Journals,  and  copying  the  Laws 
and  Minutes  for  the  Printer ;  and  to  the  said  Richard 
Smith  the  sum  of  ten  Pounds,  for  pen,  ink,  and  paper, 
and  hiring  Clerks  to  forward  the  business  of  this  session  ; 
and  for  a  Journal  for  the  use  of  the  General  Assembly, 
thirty-three  Shillings ; 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

14.  To  Charles  Pettit,  Esq.,  Deputy  Secretary,  or  to  the 
Deput}'^  Secretary  for  the  time  being,  for  copying  publick 
Laws  to  send  home  to  England,  during  the  continuance 
of  this  Act,  four  Pence  per  sheet,  reckoning  ninety  words 
to  the  sheet ;  and  to  the  said  Charles  Pettit,  for  extra- 
ordinary services,  the  sum  of  twenty  Pounds; 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

15.  To  each  of  the  Treasurers  of  this  Colony,  six  Pence 
per  Pound,  for  exchanging  ragged  and  torn  Bills  of 
Credit  of  this  Colony; 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 


16.  To  Isaac  Collins,  or  any  other  Printer  hereafter  to 
21  be 


306 


be  appointed,  for  printing  the  Minutes  of  the  House  of 
Representatives  of  any  sitting  during  the  continuance  of 
this  Act,  and  for  printing  the  Laws  passed  at  any  sitting 
as  aforesaid,  or  any  other  printing,  such  sums  as  Hendrick 
Fisher,  Stephen  Crane,  James  Kinsey,  and  Thomas  Pol- 
green  Hewlings,  Esqs.,  or  any  two  of  them,  shall  agree 
to  be  paid  for  the  said  services  ; 
To  which  the  House  agreed. 

17.  To  the  Sergeant-at-Arms  for  the  time  being,  who 
shall  attend  the  Council,  the  sum  of  three  Shillings  per 
diem :  and  to  the  Sergeant-at-Arms  who  shall  attend  the 
House  of  Representatives,  the  sum  of  three  Shillings  per 
diem  ; 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

18.  To  the  Doorkeeper  of  the  House  of  Representatives 
for  the  time  being,  who  shall  attend  the  House  in  man- 
ner aforesaid,  the  sum  of  three  Shillings  and  six  Pence 
per  diem  ; 

To  which  the  House  agreed. 

19.  To  the  Speaker  and  every  of  the  Members  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,  for  the  time  each  of  them  shall 
attend  at  any  sitting  of  General  Assembly,  during  the 
continuance  of  this  Act,  eight  Shillings  per  diem. 

On  the  question,  whether  the  sura  be  eight  Shillings 
or  six  Shillings  per  diem,  it  was  carried  for  eight  Shil- 
lings, as  follows,  viz. : 


Yeas — 

Mr.  Crane,  Gibbon, 
Ford,  Roy, 


Garritse, 

Shepperd, 

Demarest, 

Hewlings, 

Elmer. 


Hinchman,  Barton, 
Fisher,  Mehelm 
Kinsey,  ^Dey, 


Nay- 


Mr.  Combs,  Taylor, 
Sykes,  Holme, 
Eldridge,  Tucker, 


Lawrence, 
Hand, 


who  voted  for  six  Shillings. 


Ordered, 


307 


Ordered,  That  the  Bill  for  support  of  Government,  as 
reported  and  agreed  to,  be  engrossed. 

Mr.  Tucker  reported,  that  Mr.  Elmer  and  himself  de- 
livered the  Message  of  the  House  to  his  Excellency, 
according  to  order,  who  was  pleased  to  say  the  House 
should  hear  from  him. 

The  House  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock,  to-morrow 
morning. 


The  House  met. 

The  House  taking  into  consideration  the  inconveni- 
ence arising  from  requiring  the  attendance  of  two  of  the 
Delegates  to  represent  the  Colony  in  the  Continental 
Congress : 

Resolved,  That  any  one  of  the  three  Delegates  appointed 
to  attend  the  Congress  be,  and  such  Delegate  is  hereby 
fully  authorized  to  represent  this  Colony  during  the 
present  Congress. 

A  Message  from  the  Council,  by  Mr.  Hopkinson  in- 
forming the  House  that  the  Council  have  passed  the  Bill 
entitled  "  A  supplementary  Act  to  the  Act  entitled  '  An 
Act  for  striking  One  Hundred  Thousand  Pounds,  in  Bills 
of  Credit,  and  directing  the  mode  for  sinking  the  same  ;'  " 
without  any  amendment. 

The  House  adjourned  till  three  P.  M. 

The  House  met. 

The  Petition  from  sundry  Freeholders  of  Burlington 
County,  praying  that  Young  Men  who  live  with  their 
parents  may  be  taxed,  was  read  the  second  time. 

It  was  moved  that  the  prayer  of  the  Petition  may  be 
granted.  Whereupon  the  previous  question  was  de- 
manded, whether  that  question  shall  now  be  put  or  not. 
It  passed  in  the  negative,  as  follows,  viz. : 


Thursday,  November  30,  1775. 


Yeas — 
Mr.  Crane, 
Paxson, 
Mehelm, 


Kinsey, 
Gibbon, 
Shepperd, 


Hewlings, 
Tucker, 


Nays — 


308 


Nays — 
Mr.  Combs, 


Taylor, 
J^'ord, 


Elmer, 
Fisher, 


Dey, 
Holme, 
Lawrence, 
Demarest, 
Hand, 


Eldridge, 

Garritse, 

Sykes, 


Barton, 
Roy. 


Hinchman, 


Ordered,  That  the  said  Petition  be  referred  to  the  next 
session  of  Assembly. 

The  Petition  from  the  Township  of  Chesterfield,  in  the 
County  of  Burlington,  praying  a  law  to  set  free  all  the 
Slaves  now  in  the  Colony,  was  read  a  second  time. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  do  lie  on  the  table. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  consider  the  Governour's 
Message  at  the  last  session  informed  the  House  that  they 
were  ready  to  make  a  report,  and  at  the  same  time  men- 
tioned to  the  House,  that  the  report  was  necessarily 
drawn  up  in  such  a  manner  as  they  apprehended  might 
possibly  occasion  a  longer  session  than  the  House  at  this 
time  might  incline  to,  and  might  be  productive  of  some 
controversy.  Whereupon,  the  House  taking  the  same 
into  their  consideration,  and  also  being  of  opinion  that 
anything  which  might  interrupt  the  harmony,  in  this 
present  critical  situation  of  the  Province,  ought  not  to  be 
entered  into  at  the  present  session,  unless  something 
sliould  occur  during  their  sitting  which  may,  in  their 
opinion,  render  it  necessary,  do  order  that  the  report  be 
postponed. 

A  Message  from  his  Excellency,  by  Mr.  Deputy  Secre- 
tary Pettit: 

Mr.  Speaker  : — His  Excellency  is  in  the  Council 
Chamber,  ready  to  receive  the  Address  of  the  House. 

Whereupon,  Mr.  Speaker  left  the  Chair,  and,  with  the 
House,  went  to  wait  upon  the  Governour ;  and  being  re- 
turned Mr.  Speaker  resumed  the  Chair,  and  reported  that 
the  House  had  waited  on  the  Governour,  and  delivered 
their  Address,  in  these  words: 


To 


309 


To  His  Excellencxj  William  Franklin,  Esq.,  Captain  General, 
Governour,  and  Commander-in-Chief,  in  and  over  His 
Majesty's  Colony  of  Nova-CiKsarea,  or  New  Jersey,  and 
Territories  thereon  depending  in  America,  Chancellor  and 
Vice  Admiral  in  the  same,  &c.  : 

The  humble  Address  of  the  Representatives  of  the  said 
Colony,  in  General  Assembly  convened. 

May  it  Please  Your  Excellency: — We,  His  Majesty's 
loyal  and  dutiful  subjects,  the  Representatives  of  the 
Colony  of  New  Jersey,  in  General  Assembly  convened, 
have  considered  your  Excellency's  speech  at  the  opening 
of  the  present  session. 

We  sincerely  lament  the  unhappy  situation  of  publick 
affairs  ;  and  we  regret  that,  though  we  have  presented  a 
dutiful  petition  to  His  Majesty,  yet  we  have  little  prospect 
of  his  favourable  interposition  for  the  removal  of  those 
grievances  under  which  we  suffer,  in  common  with  his 
other  American  subjects. 

There  is  nothing  we  desire  with  greater  anxiety  than 
a  reconciliation  with  our  Parent  State,  on  constitutional 
principles.  But  if  the  resolution  of  the  House  of  Com- 
mons, of  the  20th  of  February,  could,  without  departing 
from  the  duty  we  owe  to  our  constituents,  have  been 
accepted,  or  made  the  basis  of  a  negotiation  which  would 
probably  have  led  to  any  plan  of  accommodation,  we 
have  been  and  still  are  greatly  mistaken. 

We  are  surprised  to  hear  that  any  persons  could  have 
advised  your  Excellency  to  have  sought  an  asylum  on 
board  of  one  of  His  Majesty's  ships.  We  cannot  imagine 
that  your  Excellency  could  have  had  any  just  reason  to 
fear  any  insult  or  improper  treatment  from  the  people  of 
the  Colony ;  and  if  your  retreat  would  necessarily  be 
attributed  to  either  the  effect  or  well-grounded  appre- 
hensions of  violence,  and  be  productive  of  mischiefs  to 
the  inhabitants,  however  such  advisers  may  deserve  to 
be  esteemed  your  "  best  friends,"  we  cannot  suppose  them 
to  be  really  so  to  the  Colony. 

Your  Excellency's  safety,  or  that  of  any  of  the  officers 
of  Government,  we  apprehend  to  be  in  no  danger  We 
place  our  own  safety  in  that  protection  which  the  laws  of 

our 


310 


our  Country  and  the  executive  powers  of  the  Govern- 
ment afford  to  all  the  King's  subjects.  It  is  the  only 
asylum  which  we  have  to  fly  to;  and  we  make  no  doubt 
but  that  it  will  be,  as  it  hitherto  hath  been,  found 
fully  equal  to  the  purpose  both  of  securing  your  Excel- 
lency and  others.  And  we  hope  to  find  that  the  officers 
of  Government  will  conduct  themselves  so  prudently  as 
not  to  invite  any  ill-usage,  and  that  they  will  not  make 
any  supposed  "infatuation,  or  disorder"  of  the  times,  a 
pretence  to  leave  the  Province,  and  thereby  endeavour  to 
subject  the  inhabitants  to  any  calamities. 

We  know  of  no  sentiments  of  independency  that  are 
by  men  of  any  consequence,  openly  avowed;  nor  do  we 
approve  of  any  essays  tending  to  encourage  such  a  meas- 
ure. We  have  already  expressed  our  detestation  of  such 
opinions,  and  we  have  so  frequently  and  fully  declared 
our  sentiments  on  this  subject,  and  in  particular  in  our 
petition  to  the  King  at  the  last  session  of  Assembly,  that 
we  should  have  thought  ourselves,  as  at  present  we  really 
deserve  to  be,  exempt  from  all  suspicion  of  this  nature. 

We  have  already  resolved  to  support  His  Majesty's 
Government,  and  look  upon  it  to  be  our  duty  to  use  our 
influence  to  promote  peace,  order,  and  good  government. 
By  order  of  the  House, 

Cortland  Skinner, 

Speaker. 

House  of  Assembly,  November  29,  1775. 

To  which  his  Excellency  was  pleased  to  make  the  fol- 
lowing answer  : 

Gentlemen  : — I  return  you  my  thanks  for  your  resolu- 
tion to  support  His  Majesty's  Government,  and  cannot 
but  approve  your  determination  to  promote  peace  and 
good  order. 

I  shall  avoid,  for  the  reasons  I  gave  you  in  my  speech, 
any  remarks  on  your  sentiments  respecting  the  present 
unhappy  situation  of  publick  affairs,  and  shall  transmit 
to  His  Majesty  your  opinion  of  the  resolution  of  the 
House  of  Commons.  Tfius  much,  however,  I  would  only 
observe,  that  if  you  really  tiiought,  or  still  think,  that 


311 


the  making  that  resolution  the  basis  of  a  negotiation 
would  not  have  led  to  some  plan  of  accommodation,  on 
terms  that  Americans  have  heretofore  solemnly  and  re- 
peatedly declared  would  give  them  full  content,  then  you 
have  been  and  still  are  greatly  mistaken. 

Your  surprise  that  any  persons  could  advise  me  to 
seek  an  asylum,  when  so  many  Governours  and  Crown 
officers  had  been  before  compelled  to  do  the  like,  is  as 
extraordinary  as  your  supposition  that  those  persons 
must  therefore  be  no  friends  to  the  Colony. 

It  gives  me  pleasure,  however,  to  find  that  you  make 
no  doubt  but  that  the  laws  of  the  Country,  and  the  execu- 
tive powers  of  the  Government,  will  afford  safety,  and 
prove  an  asylum  to  all  the  King's  subjects.  On  the 
strength  of  this  assurance,  His  Majesty's  officers,  who 
have  now  the  misfortune  of  being  confined  in  Trenton, 
by  some  supposed  unlawful  authority,  cannot  hesitate  to 
apply  for  that  legal  remedy,  an  habeas  corpus ;  nor  can 
any  of  His  Majesty's  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  have 
the  least  scruple  to  grant  it,  nor  ought  any  one  to  doubt 
"but  that  it  will  (as  you  say)  be  found  fully  equal  to  the 
purpose." 

Your  hope  that  the  Officers  of  Government  will  con- 
duct themselves  prudently,  will,  I  trust,  be  greatly  grati- 
fied, at  least  by  some  of  them,  if  a  manly,  conscientious 
discharge  of  their  duty  to  their  King  and  Country,  as 
far  as  may  be  in  their  power,  is  consistent  with  your 
ideas  of  prudence.  As  they  have  not  even  made  the  real 
disorders  of  the  times  a  pretence  for  leaving  the  Province, 
it  seems  rather  unkind  to  intimate  any  suspicion  that 
they  would  do  it  on  a  supposed  disorder  of  the  times ; 
"equally  unjustifiable  is  it  to  insinuate  that  any  of  them 
would  be  so  absurd  as  to  "  invite  "  ill  usage,"  or  so  wicked 
as  to  "  endeavour  to  subject  the  inhabitants  to  any  calamities.^' 
But  such  suspicions  and  such  language  must,  I  suppose, 
be  attributed  to  the  fashion  of  the  times. 

In  speaking  of  the  sentiments  of  independency,  openly 
avowed  by  some  men  of  present  consequence,  I  had  not 
the  most  distant  thought  that  you  would  consider  the 
remark  as  at  all  meant  for  or  applicable  to  your  House. 
If  any  faith  is  to  be  put  (as  you  say)  in  your  frequent 

and 


312 


and  full  declarations  of  your  sentiments  on  this  subject, 
you  certainly  deserve  to  be  exempt  from  all  suspicions  of 
that  nature.  I  even  initiraated,  in  ray  speech,  that  you 
must  entertain  "an  abhorrence  of  such  design."  Your 
present  disapprobation  of  the  essays  tending  to  encour- 
age that  measure  gives  me  great  satisfaction,  and  I  sin- 
cerely wish  that  both  you  and  I  may,  ere  long,  have  the 
happiness  to  see  those,  who  either  openly  or  priyately 
avow  sentiments  of  independency,  men  of  no  consequene. 

On  motion  made,  that  this  House  do  send  a  message 
to  his  Excellency,  requesting  him  to  dissolve  the  present 
Assembly  at  the  end  of  the  present  session,  and  give  the 
people  another  choice  of  Representatives  : 

The  Previous  Question  was  demanded,  "  Whether  the 
said  question  shall  now  be  put  or  not." 

It  passed  as  follows,  viz. : 


Yeas — 
Mr.  Lawrence, 
Gibbon, 
Tucker, 
Kinsey, 


Holme, 
Mehelm, 
Paxson, 
Hand, 


Shepperd, 
Hinch  man, 
Eldridge, 
Elmer, 


Nays — 

Mr.  Combs, 
Fisher, 
Ford, 
Taylor, 


Roy, 

Hewlings, 

Crane, 

Dey, 


Svkes, 
Garritse, 
De  ma  rest, 
Barton. 


The  voices  being  equal,  Mr,  Speaker  gave  his  vote  in 
the  negative. 

The  House  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock,  to-morrow  morn- 
ing. 


Friday,  December  1,  1775. 


The  House  met, 

Mr.  Kinsey,  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  bring  in 
an  Answer  to  his  Excellency's  Message  of  the  22d  of 

November 


313 


November  last,  brought  in  a  draught  accordingly,  which 
was  read  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Mr.  Fisher,  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  prepare 
and  bring  in  the  draught  of  a  Petition  to  the  King, 
brought  in  the  same  accordingly;  which  was  read  and 
ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  House  adjourned  till  three  P.  M. 

The  House  met. 

A  petition  was  presented  to  the  House,  from  the  Hon. 
Daniel  Coxe,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Board  of  the  Western 
Proprietors  of  this  Province,  requesting  leave,  in  behalf 
of  himself  and  the  Board  of  Western  Proprietors,  to  bring 
in  a  Bill,  at  the  next  session  of  Assembly,  for  appointing 
Commissioners  to  settle  the  disputes  of  the  said  Western 
Proprietors  with  the  Eastern  Proprietors,  and  finally  to 
settle  the  line  of  division  between  the  said  Proprietors, 
and  suggesting  that  the  Eastern  Proprietors  do  acquiesce 
in  this  mode  of  accommodating  the  differences,  and  agree 
to  join  in  the  nomination  of  Commissioners;  which  Peti- 
tion being  read, 

Ordered,  That  the  Petitioner  have  leave  to  bring  in  a 
Bill  at  the  next  session,  according  to  the  prayer  of  the 
Petition. 

The  House  adjourned  till  five  o'clock. 
The  House  met. 

The  engrossed  Bill  entitled  "An  Act  for  the  support  of 
Government  of  His  Majesty's  Colony  of  New  Jersey,  to 
commence  the  first  day  of  October,  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  seventy-five,  and  to  end  the  first  day  of 
October,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy-six, 
and  to  discharge  the  publick  debts  and  contingent 
charges  thereof,"  was  read  and  compared ;  on  the  ques- 
tion. 

Resolved,  That  the  same  do  pass  : 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Fisher,  Mr.  Crane.  Mr.  Ford,  Mr. 
Pa  xson,  Mr.  Combs,  Mr.  Sykes,  Mr.  Elmer,  and  Mr. 
Tucker,  do  carry  the  said  Bill  to  the  Council  for  concur- 
rence. 

The  House  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  to-morrow  morn- 
ing. 

Saturday, 


314 


Saturday,  December  2,  1775. 

The  House  met. 

Mr.  Fisher  reported,  that  the  other  gentlemen  and 
himself  delivered  the  Support  Bill,  with  them  intrusted, 
to  the  Speaker  in  Council. 

On  motion  made,  that  proper  persons  may  be  appointed 
to  take  care  of,  rent  out,  and  from  the  rents,  to  keep  in 
good  repair,  the  several  Barracks  and  their  Furniture,  in 
this  Colony  :  Tlie  question  was  put  thereon,  and  it  passed 
in  the  affirmative. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Hinchman,  Mr.  Tucker  and  Mr. 
Gibbon  be  a  Committee  to  prepare  and  bring  in  a  Bill 
pursuant  to  the  above  Resolution. 

Mr.  Hinchman,  from  the  Committee  appointed  for  that 
purpose,  brought  in  a  Bill  entitled  "An  Act  to  empower 
the  persons  therein  named  to  take  care  of,  rent  out,  and 
from  the  rents  to  keep  in  good  repair,  the  several  Barracks 
and  their  Furniture,  in  this  Colony,"  which  was  read  and 
ordered  a  second  reading. 

Mr.  Speaker  laid  before  the  House  a  Letter  from  Isaac 
Debow,  Esq.,  late  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Hunterdon, 
enclosing  a  copy  of  the  said  Sheriff's  advertisements, 
conditions  and  amount  of  sales  of  Lord  Stirling's  Lands 
in  the  County  of  Hunterdon,  with  a  copy  of  Mr.  Speaker's 
Letter  to  the  said  late  Sheriff;  which  were  read. 

Odered,  That  the  consideration  thereof  be  referred  to 
the  afternoon. 

The  House  adjourned  till  three  P.  M. 

The  House  met. 

The  Bill  entitled  "  An  Act  to  empower  the  persons 
therein  named  to  take  care  of,  rent  out,  and,  from  the 
rents,  to  keep  in  good  repair,  the  several  Barracks  and 
their  Furniture,  in  this  Colony,"  was  read  a  second  time, 
agreed  to,  and  ordered  to  be  engrossed. 

Mr.  Roy  had  leave  of  absence  till  Monday  morning 
next. 

Mr.  Barton  had  leave  of  absence  for  the  remainder  of 
the  session,  upon  extraordinary  occasions. 

The  House  took  into  consideration  the  papers  laid  be- 
fore 


315 


fore  the  House  this  morning,  by  Mr.  Speaker,  relative  to 
the  sale  of  Lord  Stirling's  Estate  in  Hunterdon,  and, 
after  some  time  spent  in  debate  thereon,  the  further  con- 
sideration thereof  was  adjourned  till  Monday  next. 

The  House  adjourned  till  ten  o'clock,  on  Monday 
morning  next. 


Monday,  December  4,  1775. 


The  House  met. 

The  engrossed  Bill  entitled  "An  Act  to  empower  the 
persons  therein  named  to  take  care  of,  rent  out,  and,  from 
the  rents,  to  keep  in  good  repair,  the  several  Barracks 
and  their  Furniture,  in  this  Colony,"  was  read  and  com- 
pared, on  the  question,  Resolved,  Tlaat  the  same  do  pass. 

Yeas — 

Mr.  Combs,  Ford,  Kinsey, 

De}',  Mehelm,  Elmer, 

Hinchman,        Fisher,  Roy. 
Garritse, 


Nays — 

Mr.  Lawrence, 
Paxson, 
Hand, 


Demarest, 
Gibbon, 
Eld  ridge. 


Hewlings, 

Holme, 

Shepperd. 


Ordered,  That  Mr.  Kinsey  and  Mr.  Elmer  do  carry  the 
said  Bill  to  the  Council,  for  concurrence. 
The  House  adjourned  till  three  P.  M. 

The  House  met. 

The  House  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  papers 
laid  before  this  House,  relative  to  a  sale  of  Lands,  be- 
longing to  Lord  Stirling,  by  the  late  Sheriff  of  Hunter- 
don. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Fisher,  Mr.  Tucker,  Mr.  Mehelm, 
Mr.  Roy,  and  Mr.  Dunham  be,  and  they,  or  any  three  of 
them,  are  hereby  appointed  a  Committee  to  examine  into 
the  said  sale,  collect  evidence  relating  thereto,  and  report 

to 


316 


to  this  House  at  the  next  session  ;  and  in  the  meantime, 
to  give  directions  for  the  further  prosecution  of  the  suit 
against  said  Lord  Stirling,  if  necessary. 

The  draught  of  a  Message  to  his  Excellency,  in  answer 
to  his  Message  of  the  22d  of  November  last,  was  read  the 
second  time,  and  committed  to  Mr.  Fisher,  Mr.  Shepperd, 
Mr.  Gibbon,  and  Mr.  Lawrence. 

The  Petition  to  the  King  was  read  the  second  time, 
and  committed  to  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House. 

The  House  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  to-morrow 
morning. 


Tuesday,  December  5,  1775. 

The  House  met. 

A  Message  from  the  Council,  by  Mr.  Parker,  informing 
the  House  that  the  Council  have  passed  the  Bill  entitled 
"  An  Act  for  the  support  of  Government,"  &c. 

The  House  adjourned  till  three  P.  M. 

The  House  met. 

Mr.  Fisher,  from  the  Committee  to  whom  the  draught 
of  a  Messaj^e  to  his  Excellency  was  committed,  re|)orted 
the  same;  which  being  read  and  amended  in  the  House, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Message,  as  amended,  be  en- 
grossed. 

The  House  according  to  order,  resolved  itself  into  a 
Committee  of  the  Whole  House,  on  the  Petition  to  the 
Kin^;  and  after  some  time  spent  therein,  Mr.  Speaker 
resumed  the  Chair,  and  Mr  Fisher,  Ciiairman  of  the 
Committee,  by  leave  of  the  House,  reported  that  the 
Committee  had  spent  some  time  in  debate  upon  the  sub- 
ject matter  of  the  Petition  referred  to  them,  and  came  to 
the  following  Resolution : 

That  as  a  Petition  is  already  before  his  Majesty,  to 
which  the  House  has  received  no  answer,  and  hoping 
that  it  will  effect  the  good  purpose  intended,  in  the 
opinion  of  this  Committee  the  present  Petition  ought  to 
be  referred;  and  that  the  Committee  of  Correspondence 


317 


do  instruct  the  Agent  to  solicit  an  answer  to  the  said 
former  Petition. 

To  which  the  House  unanimously  agreed. 

The  House  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock,  to-morrow 
morning. 

Wednesday,  December  6,  1775. 

The  House  met. 

The  engrossed  Message  to  his  Excellency  was  read  and 
compared. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  sent  accordingly. 
And  the  Message  is  as  follows,  viz.  : 

House  of  Assembly,  December  6.  1775. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Hinchman  and  Mr.  Mehelm  do  wait 
on  his  Excellency,  and,  in  answer  to  his  Message  of  the 
21st  of  November,  inform  him  that  this  House  have 
taken  the  same  into  their  serious  consideration,  and 
although  they  entertain  the  most  grateful  sense  of  the 
attention  that  has  been  shown  to  the  wishes  of  the  Colony 
in  the  allowance  of  the  Loan  Act,  and  of  His  Majesty's 
gracious  inclinations  to  give  "  every  indulgence  that  can 
consist  with  the  true  principles  of  commerce  and  the 
Constitution,"  and  are  sincerely  disposed  to  grant  His 
Majesty's  requisitions,  as  far  as  the  circumstances  of  the 
Colony  will  allow ;  yet  at  this  time  the  House  cannot 
think  it  prudent  to  go  into  any  increase  of  the  salaries 
of  the  officers  of  Government,  nor  do  they  apprehend 
that  it  will  be  beneficial  for  his  government  over  us  to 
settle  them  longer  than  for  the  usual  time,  or  expedient 
to  erect  buildings  at  present,  better  to  accommodate  the 
branches  of  the  Legislature. 

That  the  House  hopes,  when  it  is  considered  that  on 
his  Excellency's  arrival  to  this  Government,  the  salary 
was  raised  from  one  thousand  Pounds  to  one  thousand 
two  hundred  Pounds  per  annum,  which  has  been  con- 
tinued ever  since;  that  sixty  Pounds  a  year  has  con- 
stantly been  granted  to  provide  a  house  for  his  Excel- 
lency's 


318 

lency's  residence;  that  the  salaries  of  the  Justices  of  the 
Supreme  Court  have  been  lately  raised  from  fifty  to  one 
hundred  and  fifty  Pounds  per  annum  ;  that  the  other 
Crown  officers  either  have  salaries  given  to  them  or  fees 
equal  to  the  importance  of  their  service ;  that  there  are 
places  provided  for  the  Legislature  to  meet  and  do  the 
publick  business  at  Perth  Amboy,  and  that  although  such 
provision  is  not  made  at  Burlington,  yet  no  consider- 
able inconvenience  has  attended  it — When  his  Excel- 
lency considers  these  matters,  he  will,  we  hope,  be  of 
opinion  with  us,  that  the  House  has  shown  a  disposition 
to  make  such  suitable  provision  for  the  support  of  Gov- 
ernment as,  from  time  to  time,  was  in  their  power,  which 
nothing  has  retarded  more  than  the  inconvenience  of 
two  seats  of  Government,  a  circumstance  they  sincerely 
wish  was  removed.  But  the  House  assures  his  Excel- 
lency that,  at  a  future  day,  when  this  inconvenience 
shall  be  remedied,  and  the  unnatural  controversy  now 
subsisting  is  happily  settled,  they  will  show  their  readi- 
ness to  comply  with  every  just  requisition,  and  demon- 
strate that  they  ever  mean  their  actions  shall  corres- 
pond with  their  professions. 

By  order  of  the  House, 

Richard  Smith, 

Clerk. 

Ordeted,  Mr.  Kinsey  and  Mr.  Eldridge  do  wait  on  the 
Council,  and  inquire  whether  the  Council  have  anything 
further  before  them  ;  if  not,  that  this  House  proposes  to 
apply  to  his  Excellency  for  a  dismission. 

Mr.  Hinchman  reported  that  Mr.  Mehelm  and  himself 
delivered  the  Messages  of  the  House  with  them  intrusted 
to  his  Excellency,  who  was  pleased  to  say  he  would  take 
the  same  into  consideration. 

Mr.  Kinsey  reported  that  Mr.  Eldridge  and  himself 
delivered  the  Message  of  the  House  with  them  intrusted 
to  the  Speaker  in  Council. 

A  Message  from  the  Council,  by  Mr.  Hopkinson. 

Mr.  Hopkinson  informed  the  House  that  the  Council 
had  nothing  further  before  them. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Fisher  and  Mr.  Paxson  do  wait 

upon 


319 


upon  the  Governour,  and  inform  him  tliat  this  House 
luive  gone  through  the  business  before  them,  and  are 
desirous  of  a  dismission. 

Mr.  Fisher  reported,  that  Mr.  Paxson  and  himself  de- 
livered the  Message  of  the  House  to  liis  Excellency, 
according  to  order,  who  was  pleased  to  say  the  House 
should  hear  from  him  in  the  afternoon. 

The  House  adjourned  till  three  P.  M. 

The  House  met. 

A  Message  from  his  Excellency,  by  Mr.  Deputy  Secre- 
tary Pettit: 

Mr.  Speaker  : — His  Excellency  is  in  the  Council 
Chamber,  and  requires  tlie  immediate  attendance  of  the 
House. 

Whereupon,  Mr.  Speaker  left  the  Chair,  and,  with  the 
House,  went  to  wait  upon  the  Governour,  who  was  pleased 
to  give  his  assent  to  the  following  Bills,  enacting  the 
same,  viz : 

1.  An  Act  for  the  support  of  Government  of  His 
Majesty's  Colony  of  New  Jersey,  to  commence  the  first 
day  of  October,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy- 
five,  and  to  end  the  first  day  of  October,  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  seventy-six;  and  to  discharge  the  pub- 
lick  debts,  and  contingent  charges  thereof. 

2.  A  supplementary  Act  to  the  Act  entitled  "An  Act 
for  striking  One  Hundred  Thousand  Pounds,  in  Bills  of 
Credit,  and  directing  the  mode  for  sinking  the  same. 

8.  An  Act  for  the  speedy  recovery  of  Debts,  from  six 
Pounds  to  ten  Pounds. 

4.  An  Act  to  provide  a  more  effectual  remedy  against 
excessive  costs,  in  the  recovery  of  Debts  above  ten  Pounds, 
and  for  other  purposes  therein  mentioned. 

5.  An  Act  to  authorize  the  Board  of  Justices  and  Free- 
holders of  the  several  Counties  in  the  Colony  of  New 
Jersey  to  defray  the  expense  of  taking  Lists  of  the  In- 
habitants. 

6.  An  Act  to  prevent  Rams  from  running  at  Large  at 
certain  seasons  of  the  year. 

7.  An  Act  to  empower  Isaac  Haines  to  erect  a  Dam, 
Mills,  and  other  Water  Works,  on  the  southernmost 

branch 


320 


branch  of  the  Ancocas  Creek,  in  tlie  Township  of  Eves- 
ham, in  the  County  of  Burlington. 

8.  An  Act  to  enable  the  owners  and  possessors  of  Mea- 
dows and  Tide  Marsh,  lying  on  both  sides  of  the  south 
branch  of  Pensawken  Creek,  in  the  Counties  of  Burling- 
ton and  Gloucester,  to  erect  and  maintain  a  Bank,  Dam, 
and  other  Water  Works,  across  the  said  Creek,  in  order 
to  prevent  the  tide  from  overflowing  the  same. 

And  then  his  Excellency  was  pleased  to  prorogue  the 
General  Assembly  till  Wednesday,  third  day  of  January 
next,  then  to  meet  at  Perth  Amboy. 

Council 


Council  of  New  Jersey. 


A  Journal  of  the  Proceedings  of  His  Majesty's  Council 
for  the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  at  a  session  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  began  and  holden  at  the  City  of  Burling- 
ton, on  the  fifteenth  day  of  November,  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy-five,  and 
in  tlie  sixteenth  year  of  the  reign  of  our  sovereign  Lord, 
King  George  the  Tliird. 


Wednesday,  November  15,  1775. 

Tlie  House  met. 

Present — The  Chief  Justice,  Richard  Stockton,  Esq., 
Stephen  Skinner,  Esq.,  Daniel  Coxe,  Esq.,  John  Law- 
rence, Esq.,  Francis  Hopkinson,  Esq. 

The  House  continued  till  to-morrow. 


Thursday,  November  16,  1775. 

The  House  met. 

Present — The  Chief  Justice,  Richard  Stockton,  Esq., 
Stephen  Skinner,  Esq.,  Daniel  Coxe,  Esq.,  John  Law- 
rence, Esq.,  Francis  Hopkinson,  Esq. 

His  Excellency  came  into  the  Council  Chamber,  and 
having,  by  the  Deputy  Secretary,  commanded  the  at- 
tendance of  the  House  of  Assembly,  the  Speaker,  with 
the  House,  attended,  when  his  Excellency  was  pleased  to 
make  a  Speech  to  both  Houses,  in  the  words  following, 
viz : 

See  page  283,  Assembly  proceedings. 
After  which,  the  Speaker,  with  the  House  of  Assembly, 
withdrew. 

The  House  continued  till  to-morrow. 

22  Friday, 


Friday,  November  17,  1775. 


The  House  met. 

Present — John  Stevens,  Esq.,  the  Chief  Justice,  Richard 
Stockton,  Esq.,  Stephen  Skinner,  Esq.,  Daniel  Coxe,  Esq., 
John  Lawrence,  Esq.,  Francis  Hopkinson,  Esq. 

The  House  continued  till  to-morrow. 


Saturday,  November  18,  1775. 

The  House  met. 
Present  as  before. 

The  House  continued  till  Monday  next. 


Monday,  November  20,  1775. 

The  House  met. 
Present  as  before. 

The  House  continued  till  to-morrow. 


Tuesday,  November  21,  1775. 

The  House  met. 
Present  as  before. 

Tlie  House  continued  till  to-morrow. 


Wednesday,  November  22,  1775. 

The  House  met. 

Present — John  Stevens,  Esq.,  the  Chief  Justice,  Richard 
Stockton,  Esq.,  Stephen  Skinner,  E^q.,  Daniel  Coxe,  Esq., 
John  Lawrence,  Esq.,  Francis  Hopknison,  Esq. 

The  House  having  taken  into  consideration  the  import- 
ance of  several  matters  that  will  be  likely  to  require  their 
attention  at  this  session,  and  being  desirous  to  have  the 
assistance  of  every  member  who  is  not  withheld  from 
attendance  by  sickness  or  other  unavoidable  cause  : 

Ordered, 


Ordered,  That  the  Clerk  of  the  House  do  fortliwith  dis- 
patch a  Letter  to  the  Hon.  James  Parker,  Esq.,  requiring 
his  attendance. 

The  House  having  taken  into  consideration  his  Excel- 
lency's Speech  at  the  opening  of  the  session, 

Resolved,  That  an  humble  Address  be  presented  to  his 
Excellency,  in  answer  to  the  said  Speech. 

Ordered,  That  the  Chief  Justice  and  Mr.  Hopkinson  be 
a  Committee  to  draw  the  said  Address. 

The  House  continued  till  to-morrow. 


Thursday,  November  23,  1775. 

The  House  met. 

Present — John  Stevens,  Esq.,  the  Chief  Justice,  Richard 
Stockton,  Esq.,  Stephen  Skinner,  Esq.,  Daniel  Coxe,  Esq., 
John  Lawrence,  Esq.,  Francis  Hopkinson,  Esq. 

The  House  continued  till  to-morrow. 


Friday,  November  24,  1775. 

The  House  met. 

Present — -John  Stevens,  Esq..  the  Chief  Justice,  Richard 
Stockton,  Esq.,  Stephen  Skinner,  Esq.,  Daniel  Coxe,  Esq., 
John  Lawrence,  Esq.,  Francis  Ho{)kinson,  Esq. 

Mr.  Dey  and  Mr.  Garritse,  from  the  House  of  Assem- 
bly, presented  for  the  concurrence  of  this  House  a  Bill 
entitled  "A  supplementary  Act  to  an  Act  entitled  'An 
Act  appointing  Commissioners  for  finally  settling  and 
determining  the  several  Rights,  Titles,  and  Claims  to  the 
common  Lands  in  the  Township  of  Bergen,  and  for 
making  partition  thereof,  in  just  and  equitable  propor- 
tions, among  those  who  shall  be  adjudged  by  the  said 
Commissioners  to  be  entitled  to  the  same,'"  which  was 
read  the  first  time  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  House  continued  till  four  o'clock  P.  M. 


Journal 


Journal 


Of  the  Votes  and  Proceedings  as  well  of  the 
Committee  of  Safety,  at  a  Sitting  in  January, 
1776,  AS  THE  Provincial  Congress  of  New  Jer- 
sey, AT  A  Sitting  at  New  Brunswick,  Began 
January  31,  and  continued  to  the  Second  Day 
of  March  following. 


A  LIST  OF  THE  DEPUTIES  RETURNED  TO  SERVE  IN  CONGRESS. 

Bergen — John  Demarest,  Jacobus  Post,  Abraham  Van 
Boskirk. 

Essex — Abraham  Clark,  Lewis  Ogden,  Samuel  Potter, 
Caleb  Camp,  Robert  Drummond, 

Middlesex — John  Wetherill,  John  Dennis,  Azariah 
Dunham. 

Morris — *William  Winds,  *William  De  Hart,  Jacob 
Drake,  Silas  Condit,  Ellis  Cook. 

Somerset — Hendrick  Fisher,  *Cornelius  Van  Muliner, 
Ruloffe  Van  Dyke. 

Sussex — *William  Maxwell,  Ephraim  Martin,  *Thomas 
Potts,  Abijah  Brown,  Mark  Thompson. 

Hunterdon — Samuel  Tucker,  John  Mehelm,  John  Hart, 
Charles  Stewart,  *Augustine  Stevenson 

Monmouth — Edward  Taylor,  John  Covenhoven,  Joseph 
Holmes. 

Burlington — Isaac  Pierson,  John  Pope,  Samuel  How, 
*John  Wood,  Joseph  Newbold. 

Gloucester — *John  Cooper,  Joseph  Ellis,  *Thomas 
Clark,  *Elijah  Clark,  ^Richard  Somers. 

Salem — 


326 


Salem — *Grant  Gibbon,  Benjamin  Holme,  Jobn  Holme, 
Edward  Keasbey,  John  Carey. 

Cumberland — Theopliilus  Elmer,  Jonathan  Eyers. 
Cape  May — *  Jesse  Hand,  Elijah  Hughes. 

Note. — Those  marked  with  a  *  did  not  attend  the 
sitting  of  Congress  at  Brunswick. 


Proceedings 


Proceedings  of  the  Committee  of  Safety. 


Princeton,  January  9th,  1776. 

The  Committee  of  Safety  of  the  Province  of  New  Jer- 
sey, pursuant  to  notice  given  for  that  purpose,  met  this 
day,  and  there  not  being  a  sufficient  number  of  Members 
to  proceed  on  business,  adjourned  till  to-morrow  morn- 
ing, 9  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  January  10th,  1776. 
The  Committee  met. 

Present — Samuel  Tucker,  President;  Hendrick  Fisher, 
Vice  President ;  Abraham  Clark,  D.  Secretary;  Azariah 
Dunham,  RulofFe  Van  Dike,  John  Dennis,  Augustine 
Stevenson,  John  Pope. 

The  President  laid  before  the  Committee  a  letter  from 
the  Provincial  Congress  of  New  York,  inclosing  reso- 
lutions of  the  Continental  Congress,  and  the  Congress  of 
New  York,  relative  to  establishing  posts  at  proper  dis- 
tances, to  carry  intelligence  to  the  different  parts  of  the 
Colony  or  elsewhere,  as  occasion  may  require  ;  and  for 
erecting  beacons  at  proper  distances,  which  the  Congress 
of  New  York  recommended  to  the  Congress  of  New  Jer- 
sey: Which  letter  and  resolves  were  read  in  this  Com- 
mittee, who,  after  duly  considering  the  same,  approve  of 
the  expediency  of  establishing  posts  for  the  purposes 
aforesaid,  have  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  a  man  and  horse  be  kept  in  constant 
readiness  by  each  of  the  several  Committees  of  Newark, 
Elizabeth  Town,  Woodbridge,  New  Brunswick,  Prince- 
ton and  Trenton,  whose  business  shall  be  to  forward  all 

expresses 


328 


expresses  to  and  from  tlie  Continental  Congress :  And 
tliat  the  aforesaid  Town  Committees  shall,  on  every  in- 
telligence of  any  invasion  or  alarm,  send  expresses  to  the 
neighbouring  Town  Committees,  who  are  directed  to  pro- 
vide expresses  to  forward  the  same  from  town  to  town, 
to  the  Town  Committees,  and  to  such  officers  of  the 
militia  as  they  may  think  proper  to  notify  thereof  through- 
out the  Colony,  with  as  much  expedition  as  may  be  in 
their  power.  And  that  all  the  expences  incurred  by 
such  expresses,  the  Treasurers  of  this  Colony  appointed 
by  the  Provincial  Congress,  or  either  of  them,  are  hereby 
required  to  pay  on  order  or  orders  signed  by  the  Chair- 
man of  either  of  the  Committees  of  the  I'ownships  in 
this  Colony.  Which  orders,  with  indorsements  thereon 
by  the  person  or  persons  to  whom  the  same  are  made 
payable  shall  be  sufficient  vouchers  the  said  Treasurers, 
or  either  of  them,  for  such  sums  of  money  as  they  or 
either  of  them  may  pay  thereon  as  aforesaid. 

Ordered,  That  the  above  resolve  be  published  in  the 
New  York  and  Pennsylvania  gazettes. 

A  memorial  from  Yelles  Mead  of  the  County  of  Ber- 
gen, and  several  other  memorials  from  the  Counties  of 
Bergen  and  Essex,  of  the  same  tenor,  sitting  forth  that 
the  said  Yelles  Mead  had,  in  expectation  of  a  Lieuten- 
ant's commission  in  Captain  Meeker's  Company,  in  one 
of  the  battalions  in  this  Colony,  raised  his  compliment 
of  men  for  said  company,  praying  a  commission  accord- 
ingly. Also  a  memorial  from  George  Ross,  the  3d,  of 
the  County  of  Essex,  setting  forth,  that  in  expectation  of 
an  Ensign's  commission  in  said  Captain  Meeker's  Com- 
pany, he  had  raised  his  compliment  of  men,  praying  a 
commission  in  consequence  thereof,  were  laid  before  the 
Committee  and  read,  and  several  recommendations  in 
favour  of  the  memorialists  were  also  read  :  And  also  a 
letter  from  Lord  Stirling,  recommending  Mathias  Hal- 
stead,  of  Elizabethtown,  First  Lieutenant,  and  the  above- 
said  Yelles  Mead,  Ensign  of  Captain  Meeker's  Company, 
was  also  read. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  memorials,  recommendations 
and  letter  have  a  second  reading. 

Two 


329 


Two  recommendations  from  the  Committee  of  Wood- 
bridge  were  laid  before  the  Committee,  recommending 
James  Bonny,  Captain,  James  Manning,  First  Lieutenant, 
David  Crow,  Second  Lieutenant,  and  John  Clarkson, 
Ensign  of  a  Company  of  Militia  in  Woodbridge.  The 
other  recommending  Ellis  Barron,  Captain,  Ralph  Marsh, 
First  Lieutenant,  Matthew  Freeman,  Second  Lieutenant, 
and  Jonathan  Bloomfield,  Ensign  of  another  Company 
of  Militia  in  said  Woodbridge,  which  were  read,  and 
commissions  ordered  to  be  issued  accordingly. 

A  certificate  was  produced  from  the  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  of  the  North  Ward  of  New  Brunswick,  certify- 
ing that  John  Taylor  was  elected  Captain,  Jacob  Mersural, 
First  Lieutenant,  James  Schuurman,  Second  Lieutenant, 
and  John  Voorhees,  Jr.,  Ensign,  of  a  Company  of  minute- 
men  in  Colonel  Neilsou's  Battalion. 

Ordered,  That  the  above  gentlemen  be  commissioned 
accordingly  to  their  appointment. 

The  Committee  adjourned  till  2  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  Committee  met  according  to  adjournment. 

John  Hart,  Esq.,  one  of  the  Committee,  attending,  took 
his  seat  accordingly. 

Mr.  President  laid  before  the  Committee  a  letter  from 
Richard  Smith,  Esq.,  one  of  the  Delegates  of  this 
Province,  at  the  Continental  Congress,  in  the  words  fol- 
lowing : 

"  Dear  Sir  : — I  am  desired  by  the  Congress  to  transmit 
to  you  the  enclosed  extracts  from  their  proceedings,  the 
whole  of  which,  relative  to  that  subject,  I  have  sent  to 
Lord  Stirling,  by  this  post,  together  with  six  dozen  copies 
of  the  articles  of  war.  The  1000  dollars  mentioned  in 
the  extract,  I  have  received  from  the  Continental  Trea- 
sury, and  they  wait  your  commands. 

"  The  Congress  wish  to  know  in  what  manner  the 
prisoners  of  war  at  Trenton  live,  who  supplies  them,  and 

upon 


330 


upon  wliat  terms.  The  reason  of  the  enquiry  is,  that 
very  extravagant  claims  are  made  on  this  head  from 
other  quarters,  and  we  aim  to  render  the  public  burthens 
as  light  as  possible.  You  will,  as  soon  as  it  is  conven- 
ient, afford  me  the  necessary  information. 
"  I  am,  your  affectionate 

"  faithful  servant, 

"  Richard  Smith. 
"  Philadelphia,  January  4th,  1776. 
"  Samuel  Tucker,  Esq." 

The  enclosed  resolve,  referred  to  in  the  above  letter, 
was  read,  and  is  in  the  words  following. 

In  Congress,  Jan.  2,  1776. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Barracks  in  the  Colony  of  New 
Jersey,  be  prepared  lor  the  reception  of  such  of  the  Bat- 
talions, as  may  not  be  in  readiness  to  proceed  to  New 
York,  and  that  the  ministerial  troops  or  prisoners  at 
present  occupying  them,  be  accommodated  in  the  said 
Colony  in  such  a  manner  as  the  Committee  of  Safety  for 
the  said  Colony,  shall  think  most  prudent  and  conven- 
ient. 

"That  the  hundred  stand  of  arms  supplied  by  the 
Colony  of  New  York,  for  the  New  Jersey  Battalion,  be 
paid  for  by  the  Convention  of  New  Jersey,  and  that  in 
order  to  enable  the  said  Convention  to  make  such  pay- 
ment, as  well  as  to  furnish  such  of  the  men  belonging  to 
the  said  Battalions,  as  are  yet  unprovided  with  arms. 
The  further  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars  be  advanced  to 
the  said  Convention,  and  that  the  price  of  the  arms  be 
deducted  out  of  the  wages  of  the  privates  belonging  to 
said  Battalions." 

Extracts  from  the  minutes, 

Charles  Thompson, 

Secretary. 

The  above  letter  and  resolve  were  read,  and  ordered  a 
second  reading. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning  9  o'clock. 

Thursday, 


331 


Thursday,  January  10, 1776. 

Joseph  Holmes,  Esq.,  one  of  this  Committee,  attending, 
took  his  seat  accordingly. 

Jacob  Scoggin,  Esq.,  laid  before  this  Committee  a 
recommendation  of  the  Committee  of  the  County  of 
of  Salem,  in  favour  of  certain  gentlemen  to  be  commis- 
sioned field  officers  of  the  Militia  in  said  County.  And 
it  appearing  to  this  Committee  that  a  controversy  now 
subsists  in  the  County  of  Salem,  respecting  the  appoin- 
ment  of  field  officers,  and  as  this  Committee  have  not  at 
present  an  opportunity  of  hearing  the  grounds  of  the 
controversy  from  both  parties,  and  being  desirous  of  act- 
ing in  such  a  manner  as  may  conciliate  all  parties  in  a 
just  and  equitable  determination  between  them  in  the 
appointment  of  said  officers ;  do  in  order  thereto  direct 
as  well  as  the  Committee  of  the  County  of  Salem,  as  such 
other  persons  as  are  opposed  to  the  gentlemen  recom- 
mended by  the  said  Committee,  or  may  have  any  claim 
to  commissions,  by  the  election  of  the  Captains  and  the 
subalterns  of  the  Militia  before  the  16th  day  of  August  last, 
to  appear,  by  persons  properly  deputed  for  that  purpose, 
before  the  Congress  of  this  Province,  the  6th  day  after 
their  next  meeting,  that  the  truth  of  facts  may  be  then 
fully  known,  that  they  may  take  such  resolution  thereon 
as  to  them  may  seem  just. 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  the  above  order  be  delivered  to 
Mr.  Scoggin,  to  be  laid  before  the  County  Committee,  to 
be  by  them  communicated  to  the  contending  parties. 

Adjourned  till  2  P.  M. 

The  Committee  met. 

This  Committee  received  information  from  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  County  of  Monmouth,  by  Dr.  Scudder  and 
Dr.  Henderson,  and  also  by  letter  from  the  Chairman  of 
the  said  Committee,  that  a  small  sloop,  called  the  Polly 
and  Anne,  one  Hains,  captain,  was  on  the  24th  of  Decem- 
ber 


332 


ber  last  stranded  on  Squan  Beach,  on  board  of  which 
was  a  quantity  of  beef,  pork  and  other  provisions  ;  which 
vessel  and  cargo  is  now  in  the  care  and  custody  of  Colonel 
Forman,  except  such  articles  as  are  perishable,  which  the 
Committee  directed  to  be  sold  by  Dr.  Scudder  and  Dr. 
Henderson  ;  an  inventory  of  which  cargo,  as  well  such  as 
were  sold,  as  such  as  remain,  were  laid  before  this  Com- 
mittee. And  one  James  Webb,  a  passenger  on  board  said 
vessel  when  stranded,  appeared  before  this  Committee, 
by  whose  deposition  it  appears  that  said"  vessel  was 
bound  from  New  York  to  Boston,  and  from  all  circum- 
stances, the  provisions  on  board  were  designed  for  the 
Ministerial  array. 

The  Committee  taking  the  above  matters  into  consid- 
eration, think  it  proper  that  the  whole  of  said  cargo  be 
immediately  sold,  and  the  vessel  secured.  Which  vessel, 
with  the  amount  of  the  sales,  after  deducting  the  neces- 
sary expences,  be  referred  to  the  disposal  of  the  Congress 
of  this  Colony  at  their  next  sitting.  And  that  Colonel 
David  Forman,  Dr.  Nathaniel  Scudder,  and  Dr.  Thomas 
Henderson  be,  and  are  hereby  authorised  and  impowered 
to  secure  the  abovesaid  vessel,  and  to  complete  the  sales 
of  the  cargo,  in  some  convenient  time,  and  account  for 
the  sales,  and  report  their  proceedings  to  the  Congress  of 
this  Province  at  their  next  sitting ;  and  may  deliver  to 
the  seamen  and  passengers  belonging  to  said  vessel,  all 
such  clothing  and  other  effects  as  belong  to  them  (exclu- 
sive of  the  cargo)  provided  they  call  for  the  same  in  a 
reasonable  time.  And  that  the  thanks  of  this  Commit- 
tee be  returned  to  Colonel  Forman,  for  his  extraordinary 
care  and  vigilance  in  securing  the  said  vessel  and  carro. 

And  whereas  it  appears  that  the  Captain,  master  and 
passengers  of  the  sloop  Polly  and  Anne,  stranded  on 
Squan  Beach,  are  inhabitants  of  the  Colony  of  New 
York  ;  it  is  therefore. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Captain,  master  and  passengers, 
or  such  of  them  as  are  in  this  Province,  be  conveyed 
under  guard,  as  Colonel  Forman  may  think  proper,  to 
New  York,  and  delivered  to  the  Provincial  Congress  or 
Committee  of  Safety,  to  be  dealt  with  as  they  may  think 
proper. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  9  o'clock. 

Friday, 


333 


Friday,  January  12,  1776. 

The  Committee  met. 

Whereas,  a  certain  Richard  Symonds,  a  midshipman, 
belonging  to  one  of  the  King's  ships  of  War,  was  in  Sep- 
tember last,  taken  on  board  a  small  tender  at  Barnagat, 
since  which  he  hath  remained  a  prisoner  in  the  County 
of  Monmouth. 

Ordered,  That  Richard  Symonds  be  removed  to  Tren- 
ton, and  there  be  admitted  to  remain  a  prisoner  of  war 
on  his  parole  of  honour,  on  the  same  terms  granted  to 
those  officers  who  are  already  prisoners  at  that  place. 

Robert  Ellison,  Esq.,  of  the  County  of  Sussex,  was 
brought  before  this  Committee  by  order  of  the  Commit- 
tee of  the  County  of  Sussex,  on  a  charge  of  man}'^  mis- 
demeanors committed  against  the  liberties  of  America, 
and  among  others  of  entering  into  an  association,  resolv- 
ing not  to  pay  tlie  tax  ordered  to  be  levied  by  the  Con- 
gress of  this  Province,  and  not  to  purchase  any  goods 
which  might  be  distrained  from  persons  for  their  taxes, 
or  for  non-attendance  at  musters.  Mr.  Ellison  being  in- 
formed of  said  charge  confessed  the  same  to  be  true,  and 
that  he  was  influenced  thereto  by  Justice  Nathaniel 
Pettit ;  but  that  after  signing  the  said  association,  he  had 
erased  his  name  therefrom  ;  that  he  had  nothing  to  offer 
in  his  justification  but  his  ignorance  of  the  consequence 
of  his  proceedings,  and  his  precipitately  engaging  therein 
without  consideration,  and  manifested  a  deep  contrition 
for  his  offences.  He  acknowledged  he  had  signed  the 
association  recommended  by  the  Provincial  Congress,  be- 
fore signing  the  association  mentioned  above.  That 
after  signing  the  general  association,  and  before  his  sign- 
ing that  now  charged  against  him,  he  had  been  appre- 
hended in  Pennsylvania  for  practices  unfriendly  to  the 
liberties  of  America,  where  he  then  made  a  full  recanta- 
tion and  asked  pardon  of  the  public,  promising  reforma- 
tion. 

Nathaniel  Pettit,  Esq.,  of  the  County  of  Sussex,  also 
appeared  before  this  Committee,  by  order  of  the  Com- 
mittee 


884 


mittee  of  said  County,  being  cliarged  with  signing  and 
promoting  said  association  mentioned  in  Robert  Ellison's 
charge;  which  the  said  Mr.  Pettit  confessed,  only  alledg- 
ing  in  his  justification,  that  he  had  no  intention  thereby 
of  using  any  violent  measures  in  opposing  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  Congress;  and,  being  fully  heard  in  his  own 
justification,  by  order  withdrew. 

The  above  charges  against  Mr.  Ellison  and  Mr.  Pettit 
were  reserved  to  the  consideration  of  the  Committee  in 
the  afternoon. 

Adjourned  till  two  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  Committee  met. 

.  The  Committee  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  mat- 
ters alledged  against  Robert  Ellison  and  Nathaniel  Pettit, 
Esq. ;  and  the  facts  charged  against  them,  appearing  by 
their  own  confessions,  to  be  true,  and  the  offences  of  both 
being  nearly  equal. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Robert  Ellison  and  Nathaniel 
Pettit  be  returned  to  the  County  of  Sussex  under  the 
custody  of  Colonel  Ephraim  Martin,  and  that  they  be 
both  disarmed,  and  pay  to  the  Committee  of  the  afore- 
said County  or  their  Chairman,  the  sum  of  eight  Pounds 
each  towards  defraying  the  expences  of  apprehending 
and  bringing  them  before  the  Committee.  And  also, 
that  they  severally  give  security  to  the  said  Committee 
or  their  Chairman  in  the  sum  of  fifty  Pounds  each,  for 
their  future  good  behaviour,  and  thereupon  be  discharged 
from  further  detention;  and,  as  during  the  present  pro- 
cess, the  said  Ellison  and  Pettit  have  not  only  appeared 
unfriendly  to  the  liberties  of  this  Country,  but  from  their 
conduct  have  appeared  unworthy  of  the  offices  of  magis- 
tracy which  they  now  sustain.  This  Committee  there- 
fore think  it  adviseable  for  the  said  delinquents  to  desist 
from  the  further  execution  of  their  respective  offices, 
until  by  their  future  good  behaviour,  they  may  appear 
more  worthy  to  execute  the  same,  and  shall  be  called 
thereto  by  the  Congress  or  Committee  of  Safety  of  this 
Province.    And  that  the  Committee  of  the  County  of 

Sussex 


335 


Sussex  be  assured  of  tliis  Committee's  hearty  ^approba- 
tion of  their  timely  and  spirited  exertions  in  ap{)rehend- 
ing  the  above  persons. 

A  memorial  from  the  Committee  of  the  County  of 
Cumberland,  was  presented  to  this  Committee  and  read, 
setting  forth,  that  they  had  apprehended  and  secured  in 
custody  Daniel  Stretch,  Richard  Cayford  and  Nathaniel 
Dowdney,  inhabitants  of  that  County,  convicted  of  being 
enemies  to  this  Country,  by  using  their  influence  with 
the  ignorant  and  unwary,  to  raise  a  party  to  oppose  the 
measures  adopted  for  redress  of  grievances.  Cursing  and 
ill-treating  all  Congresses  and  Committees,  and  refusing 
to  give  any  reasonable  satisfaction  for  their  extraordi- 
nary conduct.  The  said  Committee  requesting  the  di- 
rection of  this  Committee  respecting  said  offenders. 

This  Committee,  duly  considering  the  conduct  of  the 
above  persons,  and  finding  it  necessary  to  use  spirited 
exertions  for  the  discouragement  of  such  base  behaviour. 
Do  order  and  resolve,  that  the  Committee  of  the  County 
of  Cumberland,  detain  the  said  Daniel  Stretch,  Richard 
Cayford  and  Nathaniel  Dowdney  in  close  confinement, 
until  they  shall  manifest  a  suitable  contrition  for  their 
offences,  satisfactory  to  the  said  Committee,  pay  the 
charges  that  have  or  may  accrue  in  apprehending  and 
detaining  them  in  custody,  and  give  security  to  said 
Committee  in  the  sum  of  fifty  Pounds  each  for  their  fu- 
ture good  behaviour. 

Also,  Resolved,  That  the  said  Daniel  Stretch,  Richard 
Cayford  and  Nathaniel  Dowdney  be  disarmed  by  the 
said  Committee. 

This  Committee  received  several  resolutions  and  deter- 
minations of  the  Continental  Congress  respecting  raising 
one  new  battalion  in  this  Province.  Erecting  and  estab- 
lishing a  Court  of  Admiralty.  Advising  the  forming 
some  useful  regulations  respecting  the  Continental  forces 
raised  in  this  Colony;  which  requisitions,  together  with 
many  other  important  concerns  render  the  speedy  meet- 
ing of  the  Congress  of  this  Province,  absolutely  neces- 
sary.   This  Committee  have,  therefore,  appointed  the 

meetiu  g 


336 


meeting  of  said  Congress  to  be  at  New  Brunswick,  on 
Wednesday,  the  thirty-first  day  of  this  instant,  January. 

The  letter  from  Lord  Stirling,  recommending  Matthias 
Halstead  to  be  commissioned  First  Lieutenant,  and  Yelles 
Mead  Ensign  in  Captain  Joseph  Meeker's  company  in 
one  of  the  battalions  raised  in  this  Colony,  and  the  me- 
morial of  Yelles  Mead,  claiming  the  First  Lieutenant's 
commission  in  said  company,  and  of  George  Ross,  the 
third,  claiming  the  Ensign's  commission  in  said  com- 
pany, with  several  recommendations  accompanying  the 
same,  were  all  read  the  second  time :  And  being  duly 
considered, 

Ordered,  That  Yelles  Mead  be  commissioned  First  Lieu- 
tenant, and  George  Ross,  the  third,  Ensign  of  said  com- 
pany. 

A  memorial  was  presented  from  John  Goldtrap,  of  the 
County  of  Somerset,  recommending  the  encouraging  of 
linnen  and  woolen  manufactories  in  this  Colony,  was 
read  and  referred  to  the  next  meeting  of  Congress. 

Several  memorials  were  presented  to  this  Committee 
for  appointments  in  a  battalion  to  be  raised  in  this 
Colony,  wliich  were  read  and  filed,  to  be  taken  into  con- 
sideration at  the  meeting  of  Congress. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning  at  9  o'clock. 

Saturday,  January  13th,  1776. 

The  Committee  met. 

The  Committee  having  before  them  several  resolutions 
of  the  Continental  Congress,  of  the  second  day  of  this 
instant,  January,  among  which  are  the  following  para- 
graphs : 

"And,  with  respect  to  such  unworthy  Americans,  as  re- 
gardless of  their  duty  to  th^ir  Creator,  their  country  and 
their  posterity,  have  taken  part  with  our  oppressors,  and 

influenced 


337 


influenced  by  the  hope,  or  possession  of  ignominious  re- 
wards, strive  to  recommend  themselves  to  the  bounty  of 
administration,  by  misrepresenting  and  traducing  the 
conduct  and  princii)les  of  the  friends  of  American  Lib- 
erty, and  opposing  every  measure  formed  for  its  preser- 
vation, and  security ; 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  different  As- 
semblies, Conventions,  and  Committees,  or  Councils  of 
Safety,  in  the  united  Colonies,  by  the  most  speedy  and 
effectual  measures  to  frustrate  the  mischievous  machina- 
tions, and  restrain  the  wicked  practices  of  these  men. 

And  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Congress,  that  they  ought 
to  be  disarmed,  and  the  rDore  dangerous  among  them, 
either  kept  in  safe  custody,  or  bound  with  sufficient  sure- 
ties to  their  good  behaviour. 

And  in  order  that  the  said  Assemblies,  Conventions, 
Committees,  or  Councils  of  Safety  may  bo  enabled  with 
greater  ease  and  safety,  to  carry  this  resolution  into  exe- 
cution. 

Resolved,  That  they  be  authorized  to  call  to  their  aid, 
whatever  Continental  troops,  stationed  in,  or  near  their 
respective  Colonies,  may  be  conveniently  spared  from 
their  more  immediate  duty  ;  and  the  commanding  offi- 
cers of  such  troops,  are  hereby  directed,  to  afford  the  said 
Assemblies,  Conventions,  Committees,  or  Councils  of 
Safety,  all  such  assistance,  in  executing  this  resolution, 
as  they  may  require,  and  which,  consistent  with  the  good 
of  the  service,  may  be  supplied. 

This  Committee,  do  therefore  most  earnestly  recom- 
mend to  the  several  Counties  and  Town  Committees,  of 
this  Province,  to  be  vigilant  and  active,  in  carrying  the 
above  resolution  into  execution  ;  at  the  same  time,  recom- 
mending the  exercise  of  due  moderation,  and  prudence 
in  the  affair;  requesting  all  officers  of  the  militia,  in  this 
Province,  to  aid  and  assist  the  said  Committees,  and  to 
execute  such  orders  as  they,  or  either  of  them  shall  re- 
ceive from  the  Committee  of  the  County,  or  Township, 
where  they  reside. 

The  letter  from  Richard  Smith,  Esq.,  with  the  enclosed 
resolve  of  the  Continental  Congress,  were  read  the  second 
time. 

23  The 


338 


Ordered,  That  Ricliard  Smith,  Esq.,  deliver  to  tlie  Pre- 
sident, or  Vice  President,  the  one  thousand  dollars,  by 
him  received  from  the  Continental  Congress,  mentioned 
in  said  resolve.  And  that  the  said  President,  or  Vice 
President,  lay  out  the  same  for  fire  arms,  for  the  use  of 
the  Continental  troops,  in  this  Colony. 

Ordered,  That  John  Posee,  Esq.,  deliver  the  arms,  by 
him  purchased,  to  Col.  William  Maxwell,  or  his  order, 
for  the  use  of  the  Continental  troops  in  this  Colony. 

Application  was  made  from  the  Committee  of  the 
County  of  Morris,  to  this  Committee,  recommending 
Jacob  Ford,  Jr.,  to  be  commissioned  Colonel ;  Ellis  Cook, 
Lieutenant  Colonel;  Cornelius  Ludlow,  First  Major; 
Eleazor  Lindsley,  Second  Major,  and  John  Doughty,  Ad- 
jutant of  the  eastern  regiment  of  militia,  in  the  County 
of  Morris. 

Ordered,  That  commissions  be  issued,  agreeable  to  the 
above  recommendation. 

Ordered,  That  the  prisoners  of  war.  now  in  the  barracks 
at  Trenton,  be  removed  from  thence,  by  the  Committee 
of  Observation,  of  that  town,  to  such  convenient  quar- 
ters as  they  may  be  able  to  procure;  in  order  that  the 
Continental  forces  may  occupy  the  said  barracks;  and 
that  the  expences  in  providing  quarters  for  such  prison- 
ers, be  paid  out  of  the  provincial  money  in  the  treasury. 

Ordered,  That  the  President,  write  to  the  Continental 
Congress,  acquainting  them,  that  the  Congress  of  this 
Province  are  to  meet  this  month,  at  which  time  they  will, 
undoubtedly  give  all  due  attention  to  raising  the  batta- 
lion, ordered  in  this  Colony :  This  Committee  having, 
for  weighty  reasons,  deferred  issuing  warrants,  till  meet- 
ing of  Congress;  being  formerly  persuaded,  that  the  ap- 
pointment of  officers,  by  the  Congress,  will  give  much 
greater  satisfaction  in  the  Colony,  than  if  appointed  by 
this  Committee;  at  the  same  time,  recommend  Azariah 
Dunham,  Esq.,  to  be  appointed  Commissary,  for  supply- 
ing such  battalion  when  raised. 

The  Committee  adjourned  their  present  sitting. 

Proceedings 


Proceedings  of  Provincial  Congress  of  New 

Jersey. 


New  Brunswick,  Wednesday,  Jan.  31,  1776. 

The  Congress  of  New  Jersey,  being  summoned  to  meet 
this  day,  at  New  Brunswick,  a  number  of  the  members 
met  accordingly:  But  not  being  a  sufficient  number  to 
proceed  upon  business,  they  adjourned  till  to-morrow 
morning  9  o'clock. 


The  Congress  met,  and  the  members  of  several  Coun- 
ties being  absent. 

Adjourned  till  2  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  minuies  of  the  last  setting  of  Congress,  and  a 
number  of  the  printed  military  ordinances  being  come 
to  liand, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  minutes,  and  military  ordinances 
be  distributed  in  the  several  counties,  as  follows  : 


Thursday,  February  1,  1776. 


Minutes.    Military  Ordinances. 


To  Bergen  County, 
Essex  County, 
Middlesex  County, 
Somerset  County, 
Monmouth  County, 
Morris  County, 
Sussex  County, 
Hunterdon  County, 


66  33 

74  37 

87  43 

90  45 

106  53 

72  36 

59  30 

136  68 


Burlington 


340 


Minutes.    Military  Ordinances. 


Burling:ton  County, 
Gloucester  County, 
Salem  County, 


107  53 

76  38 

67  33 

38  19 

10  8 


Cumberland  County, 
Cape  May  County, 


An  address  and  petition,  from  the  Committee  of  the 
County  of  Somerset,  were  presented  to  this  Congress,  de- 
siring that  householders,  and  others,  not  freeholders,  who 
pay  part  of  the  taxes  in  this  Colony,  may  bo  admitted  to 
vote  for  Delegates,  in  the  Provincial  Congress,  at  future 
elections ;  and  that  said  elections  may  be  proceeded  in 
by  ballot;  which  were  read  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Several  petitions  from  the  freeholders,  and  inhabitants, 
of  the  County  of  Essex,  were  presented  to  the  Congress, 
desiring,  that  all  persons,  subject  to  taxation,  in  this 
Colony,  may  be  admitted  to  vote  at  future  elections,  for 
Delegates  in  the  Provincial  Congress.  And  also  praying, 
that  money  at  interest,  and  other  effects,  may  bear  an 
equal  proportion  of  the  taxes :  Which  were  read,  and 
ordered  second  readings. 

Two  petitions  were  presented  to  the  House  from  a 
number  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  County  of  Morris,  pray- 
ing, that  in  the  appointment  of  officers  to  fill  up  the 
Battalion  now  to  be  raised,  due  attention  be  had  to  the 
abilities  and  qualifications  of  the  officers ;  and  that  none 
be  commissioned  under  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  ; 
which  were  read,  and  ordered  second  readings. 

Mr.  President  laid  before  the  ^ongress  a  letter  he  had 
received  from  Jacob  Ford,  Esq.,  a  collector  of  the  County 
of  Morris,  setting  forth  that  a  complaint  had  been  made 
to  the  Committee  of  that  count}^  against  the  subscriber, 
that  he  had  written  a  letter  to  one  of  the  precinct  col- 
lectors, requesting  him  not  to  receive  any  Continental  or 
Connecticut  money,  as  the  Treasurer  had  refused  taking 
the  same  ;  certifying  in  said  letter,  that  the  reason  of  his 
making  such  a  request  to  the  precinct  collector,  was  occa- 
sioned by  John  Smith,  Esq.,  the  Eastern  Treasurer's 
refusing  such  money  from  the  subscriber  in  payment  of 
the  taxes;  which  letter  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second 
reading. 


Lieut. 


341 


Lieut.  Col.  Winds  informed  this  Congress,  tliat  he  was 
stationed  at  Perth  Amboy,  with  a  part  of  tlie  Eastern 
battalion  of  the  Continental  forces  raised  in  this  Colony, 
and  that  he  was  destitute  of  ammunition,  and  thought  it 
not  improbable  he  might  soon  have  occassion  for  a  sup- 
ply. And  this  Congress  being  informed,  that  the  Count)'- 
of  Somerset  had  a  quantity  of  powder  in  store,  and  the 
County  of  Middlesex  a  quantity  of  lead,  in  consideration 
whereof 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  President  request  the  Chairman  of 
the  Committee  of  Somerset  to  furnish  Colonel  Winds 
with  four  quarter  casks  of  powder.  And  that  he  also  re- 
quest the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  County  of 
Middlesex,  to  furnish  Colonel  Winds  with  150  pounds  of 
lead,  and  that  the  said  powder  and  lead  shall  be  replaced 
in  some  convenient  time. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning  9  o'clock. 


Friday,  February  2,  1776, 
Congress  met  according  to  adjournment. 

John  Cary,  Esq.,  Secretary  to  this  Congress,  not  having 
attended  this  sitting,  and  it  being  uncertain  when  he  will 
attend  ;  and  also  whether  he  will  incline  to  continue  his 
service  if  present,  as  he  accepted  his  appointment  last 
sitting  with  great  reluctance;  and  as  Messrs.  Clark  and 
Stewart  declined  officiaiting  in  Mr.  Cary's  room,  as  they 
found  such  service  interfered  with  the  duty  of  their 
stations  as  Delegates  of  the  Congress,  and  as  these  reasons 
operated  equally  against  Mr.  Cary's  being  taken  from  the 
more  immediate  service  of  the  Congress,  while  his  time 
and  attention  were  taken  up  in  the  execution  of  his 
office.  Therefore, 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  William  Patterson,  Esq.,  be 
appointed  Secretary  to  this  Congress. 

William  Maxwell,  Esq.,  Colonel  of  the  Western  bat- 
talion of  this  Colony,  laid  before  this  Congress  certain 

resolutions 


342 


resolutions  of  the  Continental  Congress,  recommending 
the  immediate  arming  Colonel  Maxwell's  battalion, 
under  orders  to  march  to  Canada,  which  were  read  and 
filed. 

Whereas  the  Continental  Congress  have  ordered  Colo- 
nel Maxwell's  battalion  to  march  to  Canada,  as  soon  as 
the  men  can  be  furnished  with  arras  and  other  articles 
absolutely  essential ;  and  whereas  arms  are  extremely 
scarce  and  indeed  impossible  to  be  procured  in  time  for 
the  equipment  of  said  battalion,  without  making  appli- 
cation to  the  several  Counties  in  this  Province. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committees  or  other  public  bodies, 
in  whose  hands  any  of  the  New  Jersey  Provincial  arms 
and  accoutrements  are  deposited,  to  deliver  the  same  to 
the  commanding  officer,  of  said  battalion,  or  his  order  ; 
of  whom  they  are  required  to  take  vouchers,  with  the 
valuation  of  said  arms,  &c.,  there  under  written ;  and 
that  this  Congress  will  either  immediately  pay  for  said 
arms,  agreeable  to  appointment,  or  replace  tliem  as  soon 
as  possible,  whichever  the  said  Committees,  or  public 
bodies  shall  think  most  proper. 

This  Congress  do  in  the  most  strong  and  explicit  man- 
ner, recommend  to  every  private  person  who  has  arms, 
fit  for  immediate  use,  to  dispose  of  the  same  for  the  pur- 
pose above  mentioned. 

Ordered,  That  copies  of  the  above  resolve  be  immedi- 
ately made  and  certified  by  the  Secretary. 

Ordered,  That  copies  of  the  following  letter,  signed  by 
the  President,  be  sent  to  the  commanding  officers,  and 
Chairman  of  the  several  County  Committees  in  the 
Province : 

Gentlemen  : — The  late  repulse  at  Quebec  requires 
every  exertion  of  the  friends  of  American  freedom,  in 
consequence  whereof  Colonel  Maxwell's  battalion  is 
ordered  to  march  forthwith,  and  the  Continental  Congress 
have  applied  to  our  body,  urging  the  greatest  dispatch 
in  procuring  arms  and  necessaries  for  this  expedition. 
Therefore  in  pursuance  of  the  aforesaid  application  we 
request  you,  gentlemen,  to  use  the  utmost  diligence  and 
activity  in  collecting  all  the  public  arms  belonging  to 

your 


343 


your  County,  being  your  proportion  of  the  Provincial 
arms  unsold.  Dispatch  in  this  case  is  quite  necessar}'-, 
as,  no  doubt  the  arms  are  distributed  in  the  hands  of  the 
associators,  it  will  be  necessary  that  every  officer  do  his 
part.  The  value  of  the  arms  will  be  paid  in  money,  or 
the  number  be  replaced;  and  the  expences  of  collecting 
and  forwarding  them  punctually  discharged.  We  put 
you  to  tliis  trouble  with  regret;  but  the  necessity  of  the 
measure  must  apologise.  You  will  have  the  arms  col- 
lected in  your  County,  valued  by  good  men  and  sent  to 
Burlington  or  Trenton,  under  the  care  of  such  officer  of 
Colonel  Maxwell's  battalion  as  may  be  the  bearer  hereof. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  3  o'clock. 


Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  question  being  put  whether  any  officer  in  the 
battalions  already  raised  in  this  Province  shall  be  ad- 
vanced, or  appointed  to  any  command  in  the  battalion 
now  to  be  raised,  it  was  carried  in  the  negative. 

Resolved,  That  this  Congress  shall  on  Monday  next,  go 
into  the  appointment  of  officers  for  the  third  battalion  of 
this  Province. 

The  proceedings  of  the  Committee  of  Hillsborough  in 
the  County  of  Somerset,  against  Peter  Vroom  of  Piscat- 
away  in  the  County  of  Middlesex,  being  transmitted  to 
this  Congress,  and  read,  ordered,  that  the  charge  against 
said  Vroom  be  now  considered. 

Peter  Vroom  being  ordered  to  be  brought  before  this 
Congress  attended  accordingly,  and  the  proceedings  of 
the  Committee  of  Hillsborough  tvere  read  in  presence  of 
said  Vroom,  who  confessed  the  charge  therein  exhibited, 
and  having  offered  matter  in  mitigation  was  ordered  to 
withdraw. 

Resolved,  That  the  determination  of  the  charge  exhibi- 
ted against  Peter  Vroom  be  deferred  to  some  future  day 
in  the  present  session,  and  that  in  the  meantime  he  be 
committed  to  the  common  gaol  of  the  County  of  Somer- 
set, the  keeper  of  which  is  hereby  required  to  receive 

and 


344 


and  keep  him  in  close  confinement,  until  this  Congress 
take  further  order  therein. 

The  memorial  of  the  commissioned  officers  in  the  west- 
ern battalion  of  this  Province,  stationed  at  Burlington, 
respecting  the  equipment  of  the  men  under  their  com- 
mand, was  read  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Fisher,  Mr.  Dennis,  Mr.  Clark  and 
Mr.  Pope  be  a  Committee  to  prepare  a  draught  of  an  or- 
dinance for  appointing  barrack  masters  in  this  Colony, 
and  making  provision  for  defraying  the  expence  of  re- 
pairing said  barracks. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Hart,  Mr.  Mehelm,  Mr.  Ogden  and 
Mr.  Brown  be  a  Committee  to  prepare  a  draught  of  an 
ordinance  for  erecting  a  Court  of  Admiralty  in  this  Prov- 
ince. 

Ordered,  That  the  blankets  belonging  to  the  barracks 
in  New  Brunswick  be  appropriated  to  the  use  of  the  Con- 
tinental forces  ;  and  that  Mr.  John  Schuurman  and  Mr. 
William  Applegate  of  the  town  aforesaid,  be  requested  to 
ascertain  the  value  of  the  said  blankets,  and  to  transmit 
an  account  thereof  to  John  Dennis,  Esq.,  the  Eastern 
Treasurer. 

Ordered,  That  the  blankets  belonging  to  the  barracks 
in  Elizabethtown,  be  appropriated  to  the  use  of  the  Con- 
tinental forces;  and  that  Mr.  Edward  Thomas  and  Mr. 
Isaac  Woodruff  of  the  place  aforesaid,  be  requested  to 
ascertain  the  value  of  the  said  blankets,  and  to  transmit 
an  account  thereof  unto  John  Dennis,  Esq.,  the  Eastern 
Treasurer.  • 

Ordered,  That  the  blankets  belonging  to  the  barracks 
in  Trenton,  be  appropriated  to  the  use  of  the  Continental 
forces;  and  that  Mr.  Abraham  Hunt,  and  Mr.  Alexander 
Chambers  of  the  town  aforesaid,  be  requested  to  ascer- 
tain the  value  of  said  blankets,  and  to  transmit  an  ac- 
count thereof  to  John  Dennis,  Esq.,  the  Eastern  Treas- 
urer. 

Ordered 


345 


Ordered,  That  John  Dennis,  Esq.  do  receive  of  the  com- 
missary the  money  arising  from  the  sale  of  the  blankets 
belonging  to  the  barracks  in  tliis  province,  and  do  ac- 
count with  this  Congress  for  the  same. 

On  application  of  Capt.  Peter  Ten  Eick,  in  favor  of 
Peter  Vroom,  and  from  the  family  circumstances  of  said 
Vroom,  it  is  resolved,  that  the  former  order  of  commit- 
ment be  remanded  ;  and  that  the  aforesaid  Peter  Vroom 
be  committed  to  the  custody  of  Captain  Peter  Ten  Eick, 
who  has  pledged  his  parole  of  honor  to  bring  said  Vroom 
before  the  Congress  whenever  required. 

Adjourned  to  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 


Saturday,  February  3,  1776. 
Congress  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered.  That  the  blankets  belonging  to  the  barracks 
in  Perth  Amboy  be  appropriated  to  the  use  of  the  Conti- 
nental forces,  and  that  Mr.  Samuel  Sergeant  and  Mr. 
Jonathan  Deare,  of  the  city  aforesaid,  be  requested  to  as- 
certain the  value  of  said  blankets,  and  to  transmit  an  ac- 
count thereof  to  John  Dennis,  Esq.,  the  Eastern  Treasurer. 

Samuel  Tuthill,  Esq.  holding  the  commission  of  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  of  a  regiment  of  light  horse  in  this  Pro- 
vince, resigned  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  resignation  be  accepted. 

Jacobus  Post,  Esq.  holding  the  commission  of  Major  of 
a  regiment  of  light  horse  in  this  Province,  resigned  the 
same. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  resignation  be  accepted. 

Ordered,  That  Abraham  Ogden,  Esq.  be  Lieutenant 
Colonel  and  William  Barnet,  Esq.  be  Major  of  the  regi- 
ment of  light  horse  in  the  eastern  division  of  this  Pro- 
vince ;  and  that  commissions  be  made  out  accordingly. 


The 


346 


The  petition  and  remonstrance  of  the  Committee  of 
the  County  of  Bergen,  respecting  the  seizure  of  arms  be- 
longing to  said  County,  by  a  detacliment  of  Continental 
troops  in  the  first  regiment  raised  in  this  Province,  was 
read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  petition  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  Somerset,  pray- 
ing tliat  freeholders  only  may  elect  delegates  in  this 
Province,  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Lord  Stirling,  tlie  Colonel  of  the  first  regiment  of 
militia  in  the  County  of  Somerset,  being  appointed  to  a 
command  in  the  Continental  army;  therefore,  ordered, 
that  Stephen  Hunt,  Esq.  be  Colonel,  Abraham  Ten  Eick, 
Esq.  Lieutenant  Colonel.  James  Linn,  Esq.  First  Major, 
and  Derrick  Meddagh,  Esq  Second  Major  of  the  said 
regiment,  and  that  commissions  be  made  out  accordingly. 

Adjourned  till  2  o'clock. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Monmouth  County  Committee  having  nominated 
Mr.  Thomas  Barber,  as  Surgeon  of  the  first  regiment  of 
foot  militia,  in  the  County  of  Monmouth,  ordered,  that  a 
commission  be  made  out  accordingly. 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this 
Congress,  that  the  money  in  the  Eastern  Treasury  of  this 
Province,  and  the  bonds,  securities  and  other  writing  be- 
longing to  said  Treasury  are  at  present,  from  their  local 
situation,  very  insecure,  and  exposed  to  danger  ;  and  that 
therefore  the  same  be  immediately  removed  to  New 
Brunswick  until  this  Congress  take  further  order  therein  ; 
and  that  Mr.  Hart,  Mr.  Martin,  Mr.  Drumraond,  Mr.  Pot- 
ter and  Mr.  Pope,  be  a  committee  to  wait  on  the  Trea- 
surer with  a  copy  of  the  above  resolve,  and  to  carry  the 
same  into  effect. 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  the  records  in  the  Secre- 
tary's oflSce,  at  Perth  Amboy,  be  immediately  removed  to 
New  Brunswick,  until  this  Congress  take  further  order 
therein  ;  and  that  Mr.  Hart,  Mr.  Martin,  Mr.  Drummond, 
Mr.  Potter,  and  Mr.  Pope  be  a  committee  to  wait  upon 
Mr.  Pettit  with  a  copy  of  this  resolve,  and  to  carry  the 
same  into  effect. 

Resolved 


347 


Resolved  unanimously,  That  the  Committees,  if  they 
should  find  it  necessary,  take  to  their  assistance,  Col. 
Winds,  or  other  Officers  at  Amboy,  with  the  troops  under 
their  command,  for  the  purpose  of  removing  the  said 
records  and  treasury,  to  the  place  appointed. 

Adjourned  till  10  o'clock  Monday  morning. 

Monday,  February  5,  1776. 
Congress  met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  letter  from  Lord  Stirling,  inclosing  several  letters 
respecting  the  loading  of  vessels  in  several  parts  of  this 
Province  with  lumber  for  the  West  India  Islands,  was 
read ;  and  on  motion  made,  resolved  unanimously,  That 
all  County  and  Town  Committees  within  this  Province, 
exert  themselves  to  prevent  any  vessel  within  their  sev- 
eral districts,  taking  in  an}'^  lading,  or  departing  there- 
with, from  any  port  in  this  Province,  contrary  to  the 
General  Association  of  the  Continental  Congress,  unless 
the  master  of  such  vessel  produce  a  special  license  there- 
for, duly  authenticated  from  said  Congress,  agreeable  to 
a  subsequent  resolve  thereof,  or  from  the  Congress  or 
Committee  of  Safety  of  this  Province,  signed  by  the 
President  or  Vice  President;  and  also  that  they  particu- 
larly attend  to  all  imports  into  this  Colony,  that  the  reso- 
lutions of  the  Continental  Congress  be  duly  observed; 
and  that  the  Militia  of  tliis  Province  do  give  all  neces- 
sary assistance  to  said  Committee  in  their  exertions 
above  mentioned,  when  called  upon  for  that  purpose. 
And  it  is  liereby  recommended  to  the  officers  of  the  Con- 
tinental troops  which  are  or  may  be  in  this  Province, 
also  to  assist  in  the  above  measures,  when  thereunto  par- 
ticularly requested  by  the  Committees  aforesaid. 

And  it  is  farther  Resolved,  That  no  County  or  Town 
Committee  within  this  Province,  presume  to  grant  any 
license  or  permit  for  the  exportation  of  any  produce, 
lumber  or  merchandize  whatsoever,  contrary  to  the  said 
General  Association ;  and  that  a  copy  of  the  foregoing 

resolves 


3i8 


resolves  be  immediately  transmitted  to  the  printers  at 
New  York  and  Philadelphia,  to  be  inserted  in  the  public 
papers. 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  the  above  resolves  be  sent  to 
the  Right  Honourable  William,  Earl  of  Stirling, 

The  petition  of  William  Steel,  praying  that  he  may  be 
discharged,  &c.,  was  read  the  first  time. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  wait  on  Mr.  Pettit,  and 
to  remove  the  records  in  the  Secretary's  office  at  Perth 
Amboy,  made  report,  that  they  had  waited  on  Mr.  Pettit, 
and,  as  ordered,  had  removed  the  books  and  records 
mentioned  in  the  schedule  produced. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  remove  the  money  in  the 
Treasury,  &c.,  made  report,  that  they  had  waited  on  Mr. 
Smith,  with  a  copy  of  the  resolve,  who  in  the  presence  of 
Jonathan  Deare,  Esq.,  (said  to  be  a  Notary  Public)  forbid, 
and  protested  against  the  removal  of  the  said  money, 
but  that  they  had  notwithstanding  removed  the  same  as 
ordered. 

A  letter  from  Lord  Stirling,  inclosing  an  attested  copy 
of  a  letter  written  by  Cortland  Skinner,  Esq.,  and  directed 
to  Colonel  William  Skinner,  in  England,  was  read,  and 
said  Skinner's  letter  referred  for  further  consideration. 

The  proceedings  of  the  Committee  of  Bethlehem,  in  the 
County  of  Hunterdon,  against  Christopher  Harrison,  being 
transmitted  to  this  Congress  and  read  ; 

Ordered,  That  the  charge  against  said  Harrison  be  post- 
poned. 

Adjourned  to  2  o'clock,  P.  M. 
Met  according  to  adjournment, 

A  member  of  this  House  informing  that  Mr.  Pettit  and 
Mr.  Smitli  were  desirous  of  being  heard,  respecting  the 
removal  of  the  treasury  and  records  from  Amboy : 

Ordered,  That  they  be  now  heard. 

Whereupon 


349 


Whereupon  they  were  heard  accordingly. 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  the  eastern  treasury,  with 
tlie  bonds,  securities  and  other  writings  thereunto  belong- 
ing, be  removed  to  the  house  of  Peter  Schenck,  Esq.,  in 
the  County  of  Somerset. 

Resolved  unanimoushj,  That  the  eastern  records  and 
books,  removed  by  a  late  resolve  of  this  Congress,  from 
the  Secretary's  office  at  Perth  Amboy,  to  New  Brunswick, 
be  further  removed  to  Burlington,  and  lodged  in  the 
Secretary's  office  at  that  place. 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  the  following  letter  be  signed 
by  the  President,  and  sent  to  Mr.  Pettit. 

In  Congress,  New  Jersey,  \ 
New  Brunswick,  Feb.  5,  1776.  ) 

Sir  : — The  papers,  books  and  records  mentioned  and 
contained  in  the  schedule  annexed,  have  been  ordered 
by  this  Congress  to  be  removed  from  the  Secretary's  office 
at  Perth  Amboy,  and  deposited  in  the  Secretary's  office 
at  Burlington,  there  to  remain  under  your  care.  You  are 
hereby  required  to  attend  there  on  Thursday  next,  and 
receive  the  same,  and  when  received  to  give  your  ac- 
knowledgment thereof  accordingly. 

Resolved  unanimously.  That  the  papers,  books  and  records 
in  the  Surveyor  General's  office  at  Perth  Amboy,  be  im- 
mediately removed  to  the  house  of  Peter  Schenck,  Esq., 
in  the  County  of  Somerset;  and  that  Mr.  Van  Boskirk 
and  Mr.  Cook  be  a  committee  to  wait  upon  Mr.  Smith 
with  a  copy  of  this  resolve,  and  carry  the  same  into  effect. 

Resolved  unanimously.  That  the  committee,  if  they 
should  find  it  necessary,  do  take  to  their  assistance  Major 
Deare,  or  other  officer,  and  the  militia  under  his  com- 
mand, for  the  purpose  of  removing  the  papers,  books 
and  records  in  the  Surveyor  General's  office  at  Perth 
Amboy,  to  the  place  appointed. 

Agreeable  to  the  order  of  the  day,  for  the  appoint- 
ment of  officers  for  the  third  battalion  of  this  province, 
the  same  was  taken  into  consideration. 

Ordered, 


350 


Ordered,  That  the  said  ap[)ointment  be  deferred  till  to- 
morrow. 

The  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  Beth- 
elehem  Committee  against  Christopher  Harrison,  who, 
being  ordered  to  attend,  was  brought  in  accordingly,  and 
the  charges  exhibited  against  said  Harrison  were  read; 
in  support  of  which.  Captain  Kehart  was  called  upon  as 
a  witness,  and  being  duly  sworn,  did  establish  the  same: 

The  said  Harrison  being  heard,  and  having  offered 
matter  in  mitigation  of  his  offence,  was  ordered  to  with- 
draw. 

The  Congress  took  the  above  charge  against  Christopher 
Harrison  into  consideration,  and  after  some  debates 
theron,  referred  the  determination  thereof  until  to-mor- 
row morning. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  9  o'clock. 

Tuesday,  February  6,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  charge 
against  Christopher  Harrison,  and. 

Resolved,  That  said  Christopher  Harrison  pay  the  ex- 
penses accruing  on  apprehending  him  and  bringing  him 
before  this  Congress,  as  the  same  shall  be  taxed  by  the 
Committee  of  the  Township  of  Bethlehem,  in  the  County 
of  Hunterdon  ;  that  he  give  sufficient  security  to  the  said 
Committee  in  the  sum  of  501.  for  his  future  peaceable 
and  good  behaviour,  and  that  he  be  disarmed,  and  re- 
main a  prisoner  in  the  common  gaol  of  the  County  of 
Somerset,  until  he  comply  with  the  above  determinations : 
To  which  place  the  guard  which  brought  him  before  this 
Congress,  are  required  to  convey  him,  and  the  keeper  of 
the  gaol  in  said  county  of  Somerset  is  requested  to  re- 
ceive said  prisoner,  and  keep  him  in  safe  custody,  as 
abbvesaid. 


The 


The  oetition  of  William  Steele  had  a  second  reading, 
and  after  some  debate  thereon,  was  referred  for  further 
consideration. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  draught  a  letter  to  the 
Honorable  Continental  Congress,  respecting  the  sale  and 
consumption  of  tea,  made  report,  which  was  read,  ap- 
proved, and  ordered  to  be  entered,  and  a  copy  to  be  en- 
grossed and  signed  by  the  President :  The  letter  is  in 
following  words : 

In  Provincial  Congress,  New  Jersey,  "I 
New  Brunswick,  February  6,  1776.  j 

Grntlemen: — "Induced  by  a  report  current  in  this 
Province,  that  the  honorable  Continental  Congress,  had 
agreed  to  allow  the  use  of  East  India  teas,  many  persons 
have  publicly  sold  that  article,  and  the  use  of  it  is  there- 
fore in  danger  of  becoming  more  general. 

"  We  did  not  hesitate  to  determine  that  common  re- 
port, often  deceitful,  and  always  uncertain,  ought  not  to 
be  sufficient  to  contravene  a  known  and  established  regu- 
lation ;  but  on  a  resolve  being  proposed  for  the  purpose 
of  putting  a  stop  to  this  growing  evil,  one  of  the  mem- 
bers informed  us,  that  he  heard  several  of  the  Continen- 
tal delegates  publicly  declare,  it  was  agreed  in  Congress, 
that  no  notice  should  be  taken  of  the  sale  or  use  of  East 
India  teas  in  the  Eastern  Colonies.  Here  indeed  we 
hesitated  ;  and  it  being  of  great  moment  that  every  regu- 
lation of  the  honorable  Representative  Bod}'  of  the  Con- 
tinent should  be  preserved  inviolate,  we  must  request, 
that  you  will  speedily  inform  us,  whether  any,  or  what 
agreement  has  been  made  by  you  respecting  the  sale  and 
use  of  East  India  teas." 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Fisher,  Mr.  Stewart  and  Mr.  Clark 
be  a  committee  to  draw  up  a  draught  of  a  publication 
relative  to  raising  the  battalion  in  this  Colony,  recom- 
mended by  the  Continental  Congress. 


Adjourned  till  3  o'clock  P.  M. 


Met 


352 


Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Mr.  Fisher,  from  the  committee  appointed  to  draw  up 
a  draught  of  a  publication,  respecting  raising  a  battalion 
in  this  Colony,  reported  the  same,  which  was  read,  and 
after  several  amendments  were  made,  was  agreed  to,  and 
ordered  to  be  engrossed,  and  is  in  the  words  following: 

Province  of  New  Jersey,  in  Congress,  \ 

February  5,  .776.  J 

"  Whereas,  by  a  resolution  of  the  lionorable  Conti- 
nental Congress,  a  third  battalion  is  recommended  imme- 
diately to  be  raised  in  this  Colony,  for  the  service  and  at 
the  expense  of  the  United  Colonies,  consisting  of  eight 
companies,  and  each  company  of  seventy-eight  privates, 
and  officered  with  one  Captain,  two  Lieutenants,  one  En- 
sign, four  Sergeants,  and  four  Corporals  :  which  recom- 
mendation, this  Congress,  being  desirous  fully  to  comply 
with,  do  therefore  resolve.  That  officers  of  the  said  bat- 
talion be  immediately  recommended  for  commissions; 
and  that  the  Captains  and  Subalterns  be  appointed;  and 
warrants  issued  for  the  enlisting  the  aforesaid  comple- 
ment of  men. 

Resolved,  That  agreeable  to  the  recommendation  of  the 
said  Honorable  Continental  Congress,  the  recruiting  offi- 
cer enlist  none  but  healthy,  sound  and  able-bodied  free- 
men, not  under  sixteen  years  of  age;  the  form  of  the 
enlistment  to  be  in  the  following  words: 

"  I  have  this  day  enlisted  myself  as  a 

soldier  in  the  American  Continental  Army  for  one  year, 
unless  sooner  discharged;  and  do  bind  myself  to  con- 
form in  all  instances  to  such  rules  and  regulations  as  are 
or  shall  be  established  for  the  government  of  the  said 
army." 

Resolved,  That  no  apprentice  whatsoever  be  enlisted 
within  this  Colony,  without  the  consent  of  his  master  or 
mistress  first  obtained  in  writing :  And  that  every  person 
under  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  enlisting  himself  as 
aforesaid,  may  within  twenty-four  hours  after  their  par- 
ents or  guardians  shall  have  notice  of  such  enlistment, 

obtain 


353 


obtain  his  discharge,  by  refunding  the  money  received 
from  the  recruiting  officer,  and  returning  such  necessar- 
ies as  may  have  been  sujtplied  him  by  the  officer,  or  the 
value  thereof  in  money. 

Tliat  as  to  the  pay  and  subsistence  of  said  officers  and 
soldiers,  the  same  is  fixed  and  ascertained  by  the  said 
Continental  Congress. 

That  it  be  recommended  to  the  officers  of  said  battalion 
to  pay  the  strictest  attention  to  the  behaviour  of  the 
troops,  in  quarters  or  on  their  march,  that  they  give  no 
reasonable  cause  of  complaint. 

And  it  is  further  directed,  that  where  any  company 
shall  be  enlisted,  the  captains  having  warrants  for  rais- 
ing the  same,  shall  cause  a  muster  to  be  had  thereof  in 
the  presence  of  Azariah  Dunham,  John  Mehelm,  Joseph 
Ellis,  or  Edmond  Thomas,  Esquires,  who  are  hereby  ap- 
pointed Muster-masters  to  review  the  said  Companies, 
and  administer  an  oath  to  such  Captains,  in  the  words 
following;  which  the  said  Captains  respectively  are  re- 
quired to  take,  viz. : 

"I,  A.  B.  do  solemnly  swear,  that  all  the  men  whose 
names  are  entered  in  the  muster  roll  by  me  produced, 
are  truly  and  bona  fide  enlisted,  and  so  far,  as  I  know  or 
believe,  intend  going  in  the  service  of  the  United  Colo- 
nies in  the  3d  battalion  raised  or  raising  in  this  Colony. 

So  help  me  God." 

And  if  upon  such  review,  the  Muster-master,  who 
shall  attend  for  that  purpose,  shall  obtain  the  abovesaid, 
oath,  or  (if  of  the  people  called  Quakers)  an  affirmation 
to  the  same  effect;  and  also  find  the  said  complete,  agree- 
able to  the  above  directions,  shall  thereupon  certify  the 
same  on  the  back  of  the  muster  roll  of  such  company  to 
this  Congress,  or  in  their  recess  to  the  Committee  of 
Safety,  in  order  that  commissions  may  be  made  out  to 
the  officers  of  such  company ;  which  commissions  the 
Committee  of  Safety  of  this  Colony  during  the  recess  of 
this  Congress,  upon  receiving  certificates  as  above,  are 
reqiiired  to  make  out  and  deliver.  And  it  is  hereby 
recommended  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  Colony  to  be 

9  aiding 


354 


aiding  and  assisting,  as  far  as  their  influence  extends,  in 
raising  the  aforesaid  levies. 

By  order  of  the  Congress. 

Samuel  Tucker, 

President. 

Attested, 

William  Patterson, 
Secretary. 

On  motion  made. 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  the  following  gentlemen  be 
recommended  by  this  Congress  to  the  Honorable  the 
Continental  Congress  as  proper  persons  for  field  officers 
of  the  third  battalion  to  be  raised  in  this  Colony,  (to  wit") 
Elias  Dayton,  Colonel ;  Anthony  Walton  White,  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel ;  and  Francis  Barber,  Major. 

Ordered,  That  the  President  do  sign  an  attested  copy 
of  this  resolution,  and  transmit  the  same  to  the  Conti- 
nental Congress. 

A  petition  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  the  County  of 
Middlesex,  praying,  that  money  at  interest  may  be  taxed, 
was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Ordered,  That  William  Steele,  confined  in  the  gaol  of 
New  Brunswick,  be  brought  before  this  Congre.ss,  and 
now  heard. 

Whereupon  he  was  brought  in  accordingly. 

The  offence  of  which  he  was  accused  being  read  to  said 
Steele,  he  acknowledged  the  same  ;  which  being  duly 
considered. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  said  Steele  be  discharged 
from  his  present  confinement,  upon  his  paying  the  cost 
of  the  present  prosecution,  as  the  same  shall  be  taxed  by 
the  Committee  of  the  Soutli  Ward  of  New  Brunswick, 
and  give  his  obligation  to  the  said  Committee  in  the  sum 
of  fifty  Pounds  for  his  future  peaceable  and  good  be- 
haviour, and  yield  up  to  the  Chairman  of  said  Committee 
all  hif  arms  of  defence,  to  remain  in  custody  of  said 
Committee  until  they  shall  judge  it  proper  to  redeliver 
them. 

Ordered, 


355 


Ordered,  That  Mr.  Demarest  do  attend  the  papers, 
books  and  records  removed  from  the  Secretary's  office  at 
Perth  Amboy,  and  deliver  the  same  to  Charles  Pettit, 
Esq.,  on  Thursday  next  at  Burlington ;  on  delivery 
whereof,  he  is  hereby  required  to  take  Mr.  Pettit's  re- 
ceipt, agreeable  to  an  order  of  this  Congress. 

John  Dennis,  Esq.,  laid  before  this  Congress,  an  ap- 
praisement of  the  blankets  in  the  barracks  at  New 
Brunswick,  by  John  Schurman  and  William  Applegate, 
which  is  in  the  words  following: 

New  Brunswick,  February  6,  1776. 

In  pursuance  to  order  of  the  Provincial  Congress, 
directed  to  us  the  subscribers,  for  appraising  all  the 
blankets  in  the  barracks  at  New  Brunswick,  we  find  as 
follows : 

62  Blankets,  which  we  value  at  35s.  £46  10  0 
23       do.       .       .       .         at  12s.  13  16  0 

5       do  at  7.  6d.  1  17  6 


Proclamation,        .       .       .  £62    3  6 

John  Schurman, 
William  Applegate. 

To  John  Dennis,  Esq. 

Congress  adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  9  o'clock. 


Wednesday,  February  7,  1776. 

Congress  met. 

A  petition  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  Morris  County, 
praying,  that  money  at  interest  may  be  taxed,  and  that 
all  persons  taxed  may  have  voices  in  elections,  was  read, 
and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  letter  from  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania 
to  this  Congress,  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading 
to-morrow  morning. 

Nathaniel 


856 


Nathaniel  Scudder  and  David  Furman's  report  of  the 
cargo,  &c.,  of  the  sloop  Polly  and  Ann,  was  laid  before 
the  Congress,  and  read,  and  ordered  to  be  filed. 

Adjourned  till  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Congress  proceeded  to  the  election  of  officers  in 
the  third  battalion,  when  the  following  persons  were 
chosen  by  ballot : 

Samuel  Potter,  Captain,  Rinear  Blanchard,  Lieut., 
Josiah  Quimby,  2d  Lieut.,  Cornelius  Hennion,  Ensign. 

Thomas  Patterson,  Captain,  John  Mott,  1st  Lieut.,  Wm. 
M'Daniel,  Jun.,  2d  Lieutenant,  Edward  Patterson,  En- 
sign. 

John  Ross,  Captain,  Edward  M'Michael,  1st  Lieuten- 
ant, Richard  Cox,  Jun.,  2d  Lieutenant,  Thomas  Coachey, 
Ensign. 

Wm.  Eugene  Imlay,  Captain,  Richard  Lloyd,  1st  Lieu- 
tenant, Daniel  Pierson,  2d  Lieutenant,  Edgar  Gaulidet, 
Ensign. 

Peter  Dickinson,  Captain,  Stephen  Dunham,  1st  Lieu- 
tenant, David  Tuttle,  2d  Lieutenant,  William  Tenbrook, 
Ensign. 

Thomas  Reading,  Captain,  John  Anderson,  1st  Lieu- 
tenant, Ralph  Guild,  2d  Lieutenant,  John  Hagan,  Ensign. 

Joseph  Bloomfield,  Captain,  Josiah  Seely,  1st  Lieuten- 
ant, William  Gifford,  2d  Lientenant,  Ebenezer  Elmer, 
Ensign. 

Anthony  Sharp,  Captain,  Samuel  Flanagan,  1st  Lieu- 
tenant, Samuel  Hazlett,  2d  Lieutenant,  Nathaniel  Leon- 
ard, Jun.,  Ensign. 

Ordered,  That  warrants  be  signed  by  the  President,  and 
attested  by  the  Secretary,  do  issue  to  the  above  named 
persons,  to  enlist  men  for  the  third  battalion. 

Samuel  Shepherd  was  unanimously  appointed  Adju- 
tant for  said  battalion. 

Adjourned  till  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Thursday, 


357 


Thursday,  February  8,  1776. 

Congress  met. 

The  representation  of  the  County  Committee  of  Salem, 
touching  the  origin,  progress,  and  present  state  of  the 
disturbances  in  said  County,  was  laid  before  the  Con- 
gress and  read:  Whereupon  Doctor  Samuel  Dick  was 
notified,  in  pursuance  of  an  order  of  the  Committee  of 
Safety  of  the  11th  day  of  January  last,  attending,  came 
before  Congress,  and  after  some  time  spent  in  hearing 
his  defence  against  said  representation,  the  Congress 
postponed  the  further  hearing  thereof,  till  to-morrow. 

The  Resolution  of  the  Justices  and  Freeholders,  County 
Committee  and  field  officers,  of  Middlesex,  purporting, 
that  they  would  furnish  Colonel  Maxwell's  battalion 
with  fifty  stand  of  arms,  &c.,  was  read  ;  whereupon  it  is 
ordered,  that  Mr.  Martin,  Mr.  Camp  and  Mr.  Pope  be  a 
Committee  to  inspect  said  arms,  and  to  report  thereon. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'clock,  afternoon. 

The  Congress  met,  and  adjourned  to  9  o'clock  to-mor- 
row morning. 

Friday,  February  9,  1776. 

Congress  met. 

Ordered,  That  commissions  do  issue  to  Mathias  Ward, 
Lieutenant  Colonel,  David  Conduit,  Major,  and  Samuel 
Hays,  Adjutant  in  the  first  battalion  of  the  second 
regiment  of  militia  in  the  County  of  Essex,  whereof 
Philip  Cortlandt,  Esq ,  is  Colonel.  A  return  of  the 
Captains  and  subalterns  in  said  battalion  was  read  and 
filed,  and  commissions  ordered  to  made  be  out  according 
to  said  return. 

Ordered,  That  a  commission  do  issue  to  Richard  Stites, 

Esq., 


358 


Esq  ,  Captain  of  a  company  in  tlie  first  regiment  of  foot 
militia,  in  the  County  of  Somerset.  Tlie  same  was  made 
out  accordingly. 

A  petition  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  Middlesex 
County,  praying,  that  money  at  interest  may  be  taxed, 
was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  letter  from  Mr.  Smith,  respecting  his  officiating  as 
treasurer,  was  received  and  read,  and  ordered  a  second 
reading. 

The  Congress  proceeded  to  the  further  hearing  of  the 
defence  against  the  representation  of  the  County  Com- 
mittee of  Salem,  and  also  what  might  be  offered  in  sup- 
port thereof,  but  not  having  time  fully  to  hear  both  par- 
ties, the  said  hearing  was  further  postponed  to  the  after- 
noon. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Congress  again  proceeded  to  hear  the  proofs  and 
arguments  for  and  against  the  allegations  contained  in 
the  representation  of  the  County  Committee  of  Salem, 
and  referred  the  consideration  thereof  till  to-morrow 
morning. 

A  petition  and  remonstrance  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Salem,  respecting  representation  in  Congress,  were  pre- 
sented and  read,  and  ordered  second  readings. 

Adjourned  till  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Saturday,  February  10,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Whereas  by  an  ordinance  of  this  Congress,  passed  at 
Trenton,  the  28th  day  of  October  last,  the  Commissioners 

therein 


359 


therein  named  and  appointed  to  purchase  fire  arms  and 
military  store,  were  particularly  restricted  in  the  price  to 
be  paid  for  said  fire  arms,  whereby  the  manufactory 
thereof  hath  been  greatly  impeded  ;  for  remedy  whereof, 
it  is  resolyed  unanimously,  that  the  said  Commissioners 
have  full  power  immediately  to  proceed  in  contracting 
for  fire  arms  upon  the  best  terms  in  their  power,  without 
any  limitation  or  restriction,  and  that  this  Congress  will 
in  convenient  time  pass  an  ordinance  for  that  purpose. 

The  memorial  of  William  Patterson  and  Frederick 
Frelinghuysen,  officers  in  the  Somerset  battalion  of  min- 
ute men,  praying  that  some  further  regulation  be  made 
for  the  equipment  and  government  of  said  men,  was 
read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  memorial  of  Thomas  Reading  nominated  Captain 
in  the  third  battalion  ordered  to  be  raised  in  this  Pro- 
vince, for  the  service  of  the  United  Colonies,  praying, 
that  he  may  be  senior  Captain  in  said  battalion,  was  read, 
and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 


Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  memorial  of  Thomas  Reading,  praying  that  he 
may  be  senior  Captain  in  the  third  battalion,  was  read  a 
second  time ;  and  after  some  debate  thereon,  tlie  previous 
question  was  demanded  and  put.  Whether  this  Congress 
will  now  go  into  the  appointment  or  not?  It  was  carried 
in  the  negative. 

The  Congress  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  Quarter- 
master for  the  third  battalion,  when  William  Norcross 
was  chosen  to  that  office. 

Cyrus  Dehart  having  resigned  his  office  of  Ensign  in 
Capt.  Howel's  company  in  the  first  battalion,  Jacob 
Kemper  was  appointed  ensign  in  said  company  in  his 
stead. 

As 


360 


As  William  Tenbrook,  appointed  an  Ensign  in  Captain 
Dickinson's  company,  refused  to  accept  said  appointment, 
Francis  Du  Clos  was  elected  Ensign  in  said  company. 

The  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  repre- 
sentation from  the  County  Committee  of  Salem  ;  and  it 
appearing  that  there  is  a  sufficient  number  of  associators 
in  the  County  of  Salem  to  form  two  battalions: 

Therefore  resolved  unaniviously,  That  it  be  recommended 
to  the  Committee  of  said  County,  to  divide  the  said 
County  into  two  districts,  and  that  in  each  district  a  bat- 
talion be  formed,  and  a  list  of  the  officers  nominated  to 
command  each  battalion,  be  presented  by  the  said  County 
Committee  to  this  Congress,  or  Committee  of  Safety,  hi 
order  that  commissions  may  be  granted. 

On  motion. 

Ordered,  Tliat  the  following  letter  be  sent  to  the  Con- 
tinental Congress: 

In  Provincial  Congress,  New  Jersey,  \ 
New  BrUxMswick,  Feb.  10,  1776.  j 

Gentlemen  : — Sensible  of  the  importance  that  the  bat- 
talions raised  in  this  Province  should  be  as  speedily  as 
possible  furnished  with  arms,  we  collected  for  the  supplv 
of  the  First  and  Second  battalions,  all  the  arms  fit  for 
service  that  could  be  obtained  in  this  Province:  We  have 
therefore  no  resource  of  providing  arms  for  the  Third 
battalion,  but  from  our  own  manufactories  or  importa- 
tion. How  soon  they  can  be  manufactured,  is  uncertain  ; 
and  we  have  no  present  prospect  of  receiving  them  from 
abroad.  But  being  informed  that  two  thousand  stand 
have  been  lately  imported,  and  that  they  are  within 
your  disposal,  we  should  be  glad  that  part  of  them  may 
be  ordered  for  the  use  of  the  Third  battalion,  unless  some 
more  immediate  public  service  calls  for  them. 

We  beg  leave  to  propose,  whether  it  would  not  be  ad- 
visable to  clothe  the  battalions  now  raising  in  uniform, 
deducting  the  expence  attending  it  out  of  the  men's 
wages. 

We  are  informed,  that  considerable  quantities  of  powder 

are 


361 


are  lately  arrived  ;  and  it  being  probable,  that  the  assist- 
ance of  the  militia  of  this  Province  may  be  speedily 
wanted  for  the  defence  of  this  or  a  neighbouring  Colony  ; 
we  request  the  favour  of  your  assistance  in  supplying  us 
with  ten  tons  of  gun  powder,  and  twenty  tons  of  lead,  or 
as  much  as  may  be  spared. 

On  a  requisition  from  Lord  Stirling,  the  Committee  of 
Elizabethtown  have  furnished  him  with  six  thousand 
cartridges, — Somerset  County,  four  quarter  casks  of 
powder, — Woodbridge,  a  considerable  quantity, — and 
Brunswick  one  hundred  and  fifty  weight  of  lead.  Our 
militia  are  very  illy  supplied  with  ammunition,  those 
who  have  granted  the  above  supplies,  are  therefore  very 
desirous  that  they  may  be  immediately  replaced. 

Adjourned  till  9  o'clock  Monday  morning. 


Monday,  February  12, 1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  memorial  of  John  Neilson,  Colonel  of  the  Middle- 
sex battalion  of  minute-men,  praying,  that  they  may  be 
placed  on  some  more  respectable  footing,  &c.,  was  read, 
and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  letter  from  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, setting  forth  the  expediency  of  raising  artillery 
companies,  was  read  the  second  time  and  after  some  de- 
bates thereon,  was  referred  for  further  consideration. 

A  letter  from  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  New  York, 
requesting  that  this  Congress  would  order  a  detachment 
of  militia  immediately  to  guard  the  live  stock  on  Staten 
Island,  and  otherwise  secure  that  place  from  depredations, 
was  read  and  considered  ;  and 

On  motion. 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  upon  the  requisition  of  the 
Committee  of  Safety  of  New  York  now  made  to  this  Con- 
gress, a  detachment  of  volunteers,  consisting  of  800  of  the 

militia 


3G2 


militia  of  the  County  of  Middlesex,  300  of  the  militia  of 
the  County  of  Essex,  and  100  of  the  militia  of  the  county 
of  Somerset,  be  ordered  immediately  to  march  to  Staten 
Island,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Nathaniel  Heard, 
Lieut.  Colonel  Edward  Thomas,  and  Major  John  Dunn, 
to  prevent  the  enemy  from  landing  on  said  island,  and 
carrying  olf  live  stock  and  provisions  ;  and  that  each 
man  furnish  himself  with  at  least  four  days  provision  ; 
which  said  detachment  is  to  remain  on  said  island  until 
further  orders  from  this  Congress,  not  exceeding  one 
month  ;  and  that  the  said  forces  shall  be  provided  for 
with  provisions  during  their  stay,  and  be  paid  the  same 
wages  while  on  duty  as  are  paid  to  the  Continental  forces. 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  Azariah  Dunham  be  Com- 
missary to  supply  the  above  detachment  with  provisions 
and  other  necessaries. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Wetherill,  Mr.  Stewart,  Mr.  Ogden, 
Mr.  Car}',  and  Mr.  Ellis,  be  a  Committee  to  draught  the 
instructions  for  Colonel  Heard,  and  a  letter  to  the  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  of  New  York. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  petition  of  Captain  Joseph  Badcock,  in  the  County 
of  Somerset,  enclosing  a  list  of  the  names  of  certain  per- 
sons in  his  company  who  refused  to  sign  a  muster-roll, 
praying  the  advice  of  this  Congress  therein,  was  read, 
and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  representation  from  the  Committee  of  Elizabethtown, 
setting  forth.  That  many  persons  are  continually  remov- 
ing into  this  Province,  who  may  perhaps  be  unfriendly 
to  the  cause  of  American  freedom ;  and  praying,  that 
some  regulations  be  made  therein,  was  read ;  and  after 
some  debates,  was  referred  to  Mr.  Dennis,  Mr.  Clark,  and 
Mr.  Martin,  to  bring  in  an  ordinance  for  the  purposes 
prayed  for. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  draw  the  draught  of  a 

letter 


363 


letter  to  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  New  York,  and  also 
instructions  to  Colonel  Heard,  brought  in  said  letter  and 
instructions;  whicli  being  read  and  amended,  were  both 
agreed  to,  engrossed,  and  signed  by  the  President. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  inspect  the  arms  furnished 
Colonel  Maxwell's  battalion,  by  the  Justices  and  Free- 
holders, County  Committee  and  field  officers  of  Middle- 
sex, made  report,  which  was  read,  and  ordered  to  be  filed. 

A  Memorial  of  Dr.  Treat,  praying  that  his  bill  for 
attending  the  sick  soldiers  in  Colonel  Maxwell's  battalion, 
may  be  paid,  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Richard  Bowlsby,  Esq.,  against  whom  a  complaint  was 
exhibited  before  the  Committee  of  the  Township  of  Mans- 
field-Woodhouse,  in  the  County  of  Sussex,  for  opposing 
the  present  measures;  being  referred  by  said  Committee 
to  this  Congress  and  brought  under  a  guard,  was  ordered 
to  attend.  The  charge  was  read,  and  witnesses  called  in 
support  of  it.  After  which  witnesses  were  also  called 
and  interrogated  on  the  part  of  the  said  Bowlsby,  who 
made  his  defence,  and  being  fully  heard,  was  ordered  to 
withdraw. 

The  said  Committee  of  the  Township  of  Mansfield- 
Woodhouse,  before  whom  a  complaint  was  also  exhibited 
against  Dr.  Andrew  M'Cleney,  referred  said  complaint  to 
this  Congress:  The  delinquent  being  brought  under  a 
guard,  was  ordered  to  attend  ;  the  complaint  against  him 
was  read,  his  defence  heard,  and  then  by  order  he  with- 
drew. 

The  above  charges  were  referred  for  further  considera- 
tion. 

Adjourned  till  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 


Tuesday,  February  13,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The 


364 


The  Committee  of  Cape  May  made  return  of  militia 
officers,  wiiich  was  read  and  ordered  to  be  filed. 

The  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  charge 
against  Richard  Bowlsby,  Esq.,  and  after  some  time 
spent  therein, 

Resolved,  That  said  Bowlsby  pay  the  costs  of  the  pres- 
ent prosecution,  to  be  taxed  by  the  County  Committee 
of  Sussex,  and  give  obligation  to  the  Chairman  of  said 
Committee  in  the  sum  of  five  hundred  Pounds  for  his 
good  behaviour  in  future;  and  that  he  yield  up  to  said 
C'hairman  all  his  arms  and  weapons  of  defence,  to  remain 
in  custody  of  said  Chairman  until  said  Committee  shall 
judge  it  proper  to  re-deliver  them.  And, on  non  compli- 
ance herewith,  the  said  Bowlsby  be  committed  to  the 
keeper  of  the  common  gaol  of  said  County,  who  is  hereby 
ordered  to  keep  him  in  close  confinement.  This  Con- 
gress do  deem  it  advisable  that  the  said  Richard 
Bowlsby  forthwith  desist  from  the  execution  of  his  office, 
as  magistrate,  until  by  his  future  good  behaviour,  to  be 
judged  of  by  said  Committee,  he  denotes  his  penitence, 
and  renders  himself  worthy  of  the  confidence  of  the 
public. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Richard  Bowlsby  be  recon- 
ducted to  the  Chairman  of  the  County  Committee  of 
Sussex,  by  Capt.  Abraham  M'Kinney,  to  be  dealt  with  as 
is  above  directed. 

The  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  charges 
exhibited  against  Dr.  Andrew  M'Cleney,  and  after  some 
time  spent  therein. 

Resolved,  That  said  M'Cleney  pay  the  costs  of  the  pres- 
ent prosecution,  to  be  taxed  by  the  County  Committee  of 
Sussex,  and  give  obligation  to  the  Chairman  of  said 
Committee,  in  the  sum  of  fifty  Pounds  for  his  good  be- 
haviour in  future,  and  that  he  yield  up  to  said  Chairman 
all  his  arms  and  weapons  of  defence,  to  remain  in  cus- 
tody of  said  Chairman  until  said  Committee  shall  judge 
it  proper  to  re-deliver  them ;  and  on  non-compliance 
herewith,  that  said  M'Cleney  be  committed  to  the  keeper 

of 


365 

of  the  common  p;aol  of  said  city,  who  is  hereby  ordered 
to  keep  him  m  close  confinement. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Andrew  M'Cleney  be  re-con- 
ducted to  the  Chairman  of  the  County  Committee  of 
Sussex,  by  Capt.  Abraham  M'Kinuey,  to  be  dealt  with  as 
is  above  directed. 

Ordered,  That  the  County  Committee  of  Sussex,  do  re- 
port their  proceedings  on  the  resolutions  of  this  Congress 
against  Richard  Bowlsby,  Esq.  and  Andrew  M'Cleney,  to 
the  present  or  some  future  Congress,  or,  during  their  re- 
cess, to  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  this  Colony. 

Petitions  of  sundry  inhabitants  of  Essex,  praying,  that 
money  at  interest  may  be  taxed,  and  that  all  persons 
taxed  ma}'  have  voices  in  future  elections,  were  read,  and 
ordered  second  readings. 

This  Congress  being  of  opinion  that  if  two  Commis- 
saries be  appointed  for  supplying  the  New  Jersey  forces 
in  the  Continental  service,  it  would  be  of  considerable 
advantage  to  that  service,  do 

Resolve,  That  Colonel  Dunham,  who  lives  in  the  East- 
ern Division  of  New  Jersey,  be  recommended  to  the 
Honorable  Continental  Congress  as  a  person  well  quali- 
fied to  be  appointed  joint  Commissary  with  Colonel  Low- 
rey,  who  lives  in  West  Jersey,  for  the  Third  Battalion, 
now  raising,  and  such  as  shall  be  raised  in  this  Colony 
in  future. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  remonstrance  of  the  County  Committee  of  Mon- 
mouth, praying  that  the  qualification  of  electors  may 
not  be  concluded  upon  during  the  present  session ;  was 
read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Resolved,  That  on  Friday  next  this  Congress  will  go 
into  the  consideration  of  the  qualification  of  electors. 

The 


866 


The  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  letter 
from  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania,  recom- 
mending the  forming  one  or  more  artillery  companies  in 
this  Colony;  and  after  some  deliberation  thereon,  the 
same,  and  all  other  means  of  defence  necessary  for  this 
Colony,  with  the  ways  and  means  for  defraying  the  ex- 
pence  thereof,  was  referred  to  a  Committee  of  the  whole 
Congress. 

The  Congress  accordingly  resolved  itself  into  a  Com- 
mittee of  the  whole,  on  the  necessary  means  of  defence 
for  this  Colony.  After  some  time  spent  therein,  Mr. 
President  resumed  the  chair,  and  Mr.  Fisher,  Chairman 
of  the  Committee,  reported,  that  said  Committee  had 
come  to  the  several  Resolutions  following: 

Resolved,  That  a  train  of  artillery,  consisting  of  12 
field  pieces,  be  immediately  purchased  for  the  use  of  this 
Colony. 

Resolved,  That  two  complete  artillery  companies  be 
raised  in  this  Colony. 

And  whereas  by  a  former  ordinance  of  this  Congress, 
the  sum  of  30,000  Pounds  was  directed  to  be  emitted  in 
paper  bills  of  credit,  which  bills  are  not  yet  printed  ;  and 
whereas  from  the  present  alarming  state  of  public 
affairs,  it  is  probable  that  a  larger  sum  may  be  wanted  : 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  in  lieu  of  the  said  30,0U0 
Pounds  there  he  now  struck  in  paper  bills  of  credit  the 
sum  of  50,000  Pounds. 

Resolved,  That  for  the  above  purpose,  a  new  ordinance 
be  immediately  prepared  for  striking  the  said  50,000 
Pounds  and  directing  the  manner  of  sinking  the  same; 
as  also  to  provide  the  several  articles  of  defence  men- 
tioned in  the  former  ordinance,  and  such  other  articles 
as  may  be  deemed  proper  and  necessary. 

To  which  several  resolves  the  Congress  agreed. 

Resolved,  That  this  Congress  will  to-morrow  morning 
go  into  the  election  of  Deputies,  to  represent  this  Province 
in  Continental  Congress. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Clark,  Mr.  Dennis,  Mr.  Stewart,  Mr. 
Carey,  and  Mr.  Ogden,  be  a  Committee  to  prepare  an 

ordinance 


3G7 


ordinance  for  striking  50,000  Pounds  and  also  draught  a 
letter  in  answer  to  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  9  o'clock. 


Wednesday,  February  14,  1776. 

Congress  met  according  to  adjourment. 

A  letter  from  the  Honorable  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  re- 
questing that  detachments  of  minute  men,  equal  to  a 
battalion,  be  immediately  armed  and  accoutered,  and 
sent  to  New  York,  to  act  under  Major  General  Lee,  was 
read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Mr.  Demarest  appointed  to  deliver  the  papers,  books, 
and  records,  removed  from  the  Secretary's  office  at  Perth 
Amboy,  to  Mr.  Pettit  at  the  Secretary's  office  at  Burling- 
ton, and  to  take  receipt  therefor;  made  report  of  such 
delivery,  which  was  read,  and  ordered  to  be  filed. 

Agreeable  to  the  order  of  the  day,  the  Congress  pro- 
ceeded to  elect  Delegates  to  represent  this  Province  in 
Continental  Congress;  which  election  being  made,  it  is 
thereupon. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  William  Livingston,  John 
DeHart,  Richard  Smith,  John  Cooper,  and  Jonathan  Dick- 
inson Serjeant,  Esquires,  be  Delegates  to  represent  this 
Province  in  the  Continental  Congress  for  the  space  of  one 
year,  or,  until  others  shall  be  legally  appointed  in  their 
stead  ;  and  that  they,  or  any  three  or  more  of  them, 
have  full  and  ample  power  to  consent  and  agree  to  all 
measures,  which  such  Congress  shall  deem  necessary. 
And  this  Province  bind  themselves  to  execute  to  the  ut- 
most of  their  power,  all  Resolutions  which  the  said  Con- 
gress may  adopt.  And  further,  if  the  s  iid  Congress  shall 
think  necessary  to  adjourn,  we  do  authorize  our  said 
Delegates,  to  represent  and  act  for  this  Province  in  any 

one 


368 


one  Congress  to  be  held  by  virtue  of  such  adjournment 
during  their  delegation. 
On  motion, 

Resolved  tmanimously,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Congress 
be  returned  to  the  several  gentlemen,  who  have  repre- 
sented this  Colony  in  the  Honourable  Continental  Con- 
gress, for  their  faithful  discharge  of  the  important  trust 
reposed  in  them ;  and  that  the  President  do  transmit  the 
same  accordingly. 

On  motion, 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  Mr.  Lewis  Dunham  be 
recommended  by  this  Congress  to  the  Honourable  Conti- 
nental Congress,  as  Surgeon,  and  Mr.  Thomas  Read,  as 
Surgeon's  Mate,  for  the  Third  battalion  now  raising  in 
this  Colony. 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  this  Congress  will  make 
provision  for  defraying  the  expences  of  the  gentlemen 
appointed  to  represent  this  Colony  in  Continental  Con- 
gress. 

Adjourned  till  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Fisher,  Mr.  Mehelra,  Mr.  Drake  and 
Mr.  Brown,  be  a  Committee  to  prepare  an  Ordinance  for 
exempting  persons,  who  enlist  in  the  service  of  the 
United  Colonies  from  being  arrested. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Covenhoven,  Mr.  Ellis,  Mr.  Hughs 
and  Mr.  Elmer,  be  a  Committee  to  prepare  an  Ordinance 
for  numbering  the  inhabitants  of  this  Colony,  pursuant 
to  the  direction  of  the  Continental  Congress. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  draught  of  an 
Ordinance  for  appointing  Barrack-masters  in  this  Prov- 
ince, and  making  provision  for  defraying  the  expence  of 
repairing  said  barracks,  brought  in  the  same ;  which  was 
read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

On 


369 


On  motion, 

Ordered,  Tliat  Moses  Scot  be  Surgeon  to  the  Second 
regiment  of  foot  militia,  in  tlie  County  of  Middlesex, 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  Whetherill. 

On  motion, 

Ordered,  That  Oliver  Barnet,  Esq.,  be  Surgeon  to  the 
Fourth  regiment  of  foot  militia  in  the  County  of  Hunter- 
don, under  the  command  of  Colonel  Mehelm. 

Adjourned  till  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Thursday,  February  15,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  letter  from  the  Hon.  Continental  Congress  of  the 
12th  instant,  was  read  the  second  time,  and  is  in  the 
words  following : 

Gentlemen: — The  arrival  of  troops  at  New  York,  the 
importance  of  that  place  to  the  welfare  of  America,  and 
the  necessity  of  throwing  up  a  number  of  works  to  pre- 
vent our  enemies  from  landing  and  taking  post  there, 
render  it  necessary,  that  a  number  of  troops  should  im- 
mediately join  Major  General  Lee;  I  am  therefore  de- 
sired to  apply  to  you,  and  request  you  would  with  all 
possible  expedition  send  detachments  of  your  minute 
men,  equal  to  a  battalion,  under  proper  officers,  and  well 
armed  and  accoutered,  to  New  York,  there  to  be  under 
the  command  of  General  Lee. 

Your  approved  zeal  in  the  cause  of  your  country,  gives 
me  the  strongest  assurance,  that  you  will  with  alacrity 
embrace  this  opportunity  of  giving  aid  to  your  neigh- 
bours, and  that  your  people  will  cheerfully  engage  in  a 
service,  by  which  they  will  not  only  render  a  very  essen- 
tial service  to  their  country,  but  also  have  an  opportunity 
of  acquiring  military  skill  and  knowledge  in  the  con- 
struction of  field  works,  and  the  method  of  fortifying  and 

entrenching 

25 


370 


entrenching  camps,  by  which  they  will  be  the  better  able, 
when  occasion  calls,  to  defend  their  rights  and  liberties. 
I  am,  Gentlemen 

Your  obedient  humble  servant, 

John  Hancock, 

President. 

Honourable  Convention 
of  New  Jersey. 

The  Congress  taking  the  above  letter  into  considera- 
tion, and  desirous  of  doing  every  thing  in  their  power  to 
promote  the  common  cause,  do 

Resolve,  unanimously,  That  the  above  requisition  be 
complied  with,  and  that  detachments  of  minute-men 
properly  accoutred,  equal  to  a  battalion  in  the  Continen- 
tal service,  be  immediately  made,  and  marched  to  New 
York,  under  the  command  of  Charles  Stewart,  Esq., 
Colonel ;  Mark  Thompson,  Esq.,  Lieutenant  Colonel ; 
Frederick  Frelinghuysen  and  Thomas  Henderson,  Esqrs., 
Majors : 

And  that  said  battalion,  when  joined  with  the  Conti- 
nental forces,  be  under  the  command  of  Major  General 
Lee.  Which  battalion,  by  a  resolution  of  the  Continental 
Congress,  of  the  25th  of  October  last,  shall  be  entitled  to 
the  ^me  pay  while  on  service,  as  allowed  to  the  Conti- 
nental troops,  and  furnished  with  provisions  in  the  same 
manner. 

And  this  Congress  do  recommend  to  the  Committees 
in  particular,  and  to  the  inhabitants  in  general  of  this 
Colony,  to  afford  all  the  assistance  in  their  power  in 
raising  and  equipping  said  battalion. 

The  Committee  of  the  Township  of  Maidenhead  in  the 
County  of  Hunterdon,  made  return  of  persons  who  signed 
the  Association,  as  well  as  those  who  refused,  which  was 
read,  and  ordered  to  be  filed. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  draught  an  ordinance  for 
erecting  a  Court  of  Admiralty  in  this  Province,  reported. 
That  they  had  consulted  William  Livingston,  Esq.,  one 
of  our  Delegates  in  Continental  Congress  on  the  subject, 

and 


371 


and  proposed  to  him,  whether  it  would  not  be  of  mani- 
fest advantage  to  the  Colonies,  if  that  Congress  should, 
by  one  general  ordinance,  institute  the  powers  and  mode 
of  erecting  a  Court  of  Admiralty  to  be  adopted  by  all  the 
Colonies:  That  Mr.  Livingston  agreed  thereto,  and  said 
he  would  take  the  first  opportunity  of  proposing  this 
matter  in  Congress  ;  and  added,  that  as  they  had  already 
given  directions  for  the  disposition  of  the  transport  lately 
carried  into  Elizabethtown,  no  injury  could  ensue  to  the 
public  from  the  New  Jersey  Congress  deferring  the  erect- 
ing a  Court  of  Admiralty  in  this  Province,  until  they 
are  informed  whether  the  Continental  Congress  will 
direct  a  general  ordinance  for  the  purpose:  And  the 
Committee  submit  it  to  consideration  of  the  Congress, 
whether  it  will  not.  for  the  above  reasons,  be  expedient, 
that  the  said  Committee  should  for  the  present  defer 
further  proceedings  in  the  business  to  which  they  were 
appointed. 

The  Congress  taking  the  said  report  into  consideration. 
Ordered,  That  further  proceedings  of  the  said  Commit- 
tee be  deferred  accordingly. 

Charles  Roberts,  by  an  order  of  the  County  Committee 
of  Somerset,  directed  to  Major  Frederick  Frelinghuysen, 
was  brought  before  this  Congress.  The  charge  exhfbited 
against  said  Roberts,  was  read,  who  having  made  his 
defence,  and  being  fully  heard,  was  ordered  to  withdraw. 
The  Congress  having  duly  considered  said  charge,  do 
Resolve,  That  said  Charles  Roberts  pay  the  costs  of  the 
present  prosecution,  to  be  taxed  by  the  County  Commit- 
tee of  Somerset,  and  give  obligation,  with  surety,  to  the 
Chairman  of  said  Committee,  in  the  sum  of  1501.  for  his 
good  behaviour  in  future ;  that  he  yield  up  to  said 
Chairman  all  his  arms  and  weapons  of  defence,  to  remain 
in  custody  of  said  Chairman  until  the  said  Committee 
shall  deem  it  proper  to  re-deliver  them ;  and,  on  non- 
compliance herewith,  that  the  said  Roberts  be  committed 
to  the  keeper  of  the  common  gaol  of  said  county,  who  is 
hereby  ordered  to  keep  him  in  close  confinement  during 
such  non-compliance. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Charles  Roberts  be  reconducted 

to 


372 


to  the  Chairman  of  the  County  Committee  of  Somerset, 
by  Major  Frederick  Frelingliuysen,  to  be  dealt  with  as  is 
above  directed. 

A  letter  from  the  County  Committee  of  Somerset,  set- 
ting forth,  That  they  think  it  expedient,  some  measure 
should  be  taken  to  fortify  Perth  Amboy,  was  read,  and 
ordered  a  second  reading. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment.  ^ 

A  petition  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  Somerset,  pray- 
ing that  none  but  freeholders  may  be  qualified  to  elect 
deputies  to  represent  them  in  Congress,  was  read  and 
ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  memorial  from  the  County  Committee  of  Monmouth, 
praying.  That  some  mode  may  be  prescribed  for  keeping 
Minute  Companies  on  foot,  was  read,  and  ordered  a 
second  reading. 

Adjourned  till  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Friday,  February  16,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  petition  from  the  inhabitants  of  the  city  of  New 
Brunswick,  praying,  That  they  may  be  admitted  as  well 
as  freeholders,  to  vote  for  deputies  in  Congress,  was  read, 
and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  petition  of  the  committee  for  the  town  of  Newark, 
in  the  county  of  Essex,  setting  forth,  that  a  dispute  had 
arisen  between  said  committee  and  the  County  Commit- 
tee of  Essex,  respecting  the  appropriation  of  said  town- 
ships part  of  the  £10,000  tax  ;  praying,  that  this  Con- 
gress would  take  some  order  therein,  was  read,  and  or- 
dered a  second  reading. 

Ordered, 


373 


Ordered,  That  Mr.  Carey,  Mr.  Mel)elm  and  Mr.  Martin 
be  a  committee  to  prepare  the  draft  of  an  ordinance  di- 
recting the  manner  of  signing  the  general  association  by 
persons  of  tender  consciences ;  and  for  further  regulat- 
ing the  militia  of  this  Colony. 

Adjourned  to  2  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  several  petitions  from  the  different  Counties  in 
this  Province,  praying,  That  householders,  &c.,  may  be 
qualified  to  vote  for  Representatives  in  Congress;  the 
petition  of  the  County  Committee  of  Monmouth,  pray- 
ing that  the  Congress  would  not  at  present  decide  upon 
the  qualifications  of  electors  ;  and  also  the  two  petitions 
from  several  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  County  of  Somer- 
set, praying,  That  freeholders  onl}'  may  elect  deputies  for 
Congress,  were  all  read  the  second  time;  and  the  Con- 
gress, agreeable  to  the  order  of  the  day,  taking  into  con- 
sideration the  subject  matter  of  the  said  several  petitions, 
and  after  duly  deliberating  thereon,  the  question  was 
put.  Whether  every  person  of  full  age,  who  hath  imme- 
diately preceding  the  election,  resided  one  whole  year  in 
any  Countj'^  of  this  Colony,  and  is  worth  at  least  fifty 
Pounds  in  real  or  personal  estate,  shall  be  admitted  to 
vote  in  the  County  wherein  he  resides,  for  Representa- 
tives in  Provincial  Congress,  or  not?  It  passed  in  the 
affirmative,  as  follows: 


Yeas — 

Essex  County, 
Middlesex  County, 
Morris  County, 
Hunterdon  County, 


Burlington  County, 
Gloucester  County, 
Salem  County, 
Cumberland  County, 


Sussex  County. 


Nays — 

Bergen  County, 
Somerset  County, 


Monmouth  County, 
Cape  May  County. 


Ordered, 


374 


Ordered,  That  Mr.  Clark,  Mr.  O^^den,  Mr.  Elmer,  Mr. 
Stewart  and  Mr.  Carey  be  a  committee  to  prepare  an  or- 
diiiatice  for  the  above  purpose;  <'ind  also  to  ascertain  the 
qualifications  of  Representatives  to  serve  in  Congress. 

The  petition  of  the  Committee  for  the  Township  of 
Newark,  in  the  County  of  Essex,  was  read  the  second 
time;  and  the  gentlemen  attending  in  behalf  of  the 
Committee  of  the  County  of  Essex,  requesting  that  the 
hearing  the  matter  alledged  in  said  petition  may  be 
deferred  till  Thursday  next. 

The  said  hearing  was  deferred  accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  both  parties  do  attend  this  Congress  on 
Thursday  next,  at  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  to  be 
heard  for  and  against  said  petition. 

Adjourned  till  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 


Saturday,  February  17,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  an  Ordinance  for 
striking  50,0001.  &c.,  brought  in  the  same,  which  was 
read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Ralph  Guild,  having  returned  his  warrant  for  enlist- 
ing men,  as  2d  Lieutenant  in  Captain  Reading's  com- 
pany, Jeremiah  Ballard  was  nominated  as  2d  Lieutenant 
in  that  company. 

A  petition  of  officers  and  privates  of  the  company 
whereof  George  Taylor,  Esq.,  was  Captain  at  the  time  of 
being  elected  Colonel ;  praying,  that  he  may  occupy  both 
offices,  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Joshua  Corshon,  Esq.,  having,  on  account  of  his  in- 
firmity, resigned  his  commission  of  Captain  in  the  3d 
regiment  of  foot  militia  in  the  County  of  Hunterdon, 

whereof 


I 


375 


whereof  Nathaniel  Hunt,  Esq.,  is  Colonel;  Oidered,  thut 
said  resignation  be  accepted,  and  that  the  company 
immediately  proceed  to  the  election  of  a  Captain. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  an  Ordinance,  to 
fix  the  Qualification  of  electors  of  Deputies,  &c.,  brought 
in  the  same,  which  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second 
reading. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  an  Ordinance  for 
exempting  persons  who  enlist  in  the  service  of  the  United 
Colonies,  from  being  arrested,  brought  in  the  same; 
which  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  draught  of  an 
Ordinance,  directing  the  manner  of  signing  the  general 
association,  &c.,  and  for  further  regulating  the  militia  of 
this  Colony,  brought  in  the  same;  which  was  read,  and 
ordered  a  second  reading. 

Ordered,  That  Dr.  William  Burnet  be  Surgeon  for  the 
Second  regiment  of  foot  militia  in  the  County  of  Essex  ; 
and  that  Dr.  Uzal  Johnston  be  Surgeon  for  the  First  bat- 
talion ;  and  Dr.  Nicholas  Roach  be  Surgeon  for  the  Sec- 
ond battalion  of  said  regiment;  and  that  commissions  be 
issued  accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  Dr.  Abraham  Van  Boskirk  be  Surgeon 
for  the  regiment  of  foot  militia  in  the  County  of  Bergen  ; 
and  that  a  commission  be  made  out  accordingly. 

Adjourned  till  9  o'clock  Monday  morning. 


Monday,  February  19,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered,  That  Dr.  Timothy  Jones  be  Surgeon  for  the 
Eastern  regiment  of  foot  militia  in  the  County  of  Morris; 
and  that  a  commission  be  made  out  accordingly. 

The 


376 


Tiie  Committee  to  whom  the  representation  from  the 
Committee  of  Elizabethtovvn  was  referred,  brought  in  an 
Ordinance  for  preventing  persons  deserting  places  in 
danger  of  being  attacked,  and  for  restraining  such  as  are 
dangerous  to  the  common  cause,  from  taking  refuge  in 
this  Colony;  which  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second 
reading. 

The  draught  of  an  Ordinance  for  appointing  Barrack 
masters  in  this  Province,  and  making  provision  for  de- 
fraying the  expense  of  repairing  said  barracks,  was  read 
the  second  time,  agreed  to,  and  ordered  to  be  engrossed. 

The  draught  of  an  Ordinance  directing  the  manner  of 
signing  the  general  association  by  persons  of  tender  con- 
sciences, and  enforcing  the  same;  and  also  for  amending 
the  Militia  Ordinance  passed  at  the  last  session  of  this  Con- 
gress ;  was  read  the  second  time,  agreed  to,  and  ordered 
to  be  engrossed. 

Several  resolutions  of  the  Continental  Congress  recom- 
mending certain  matters  to  this  Congress,  were  read  and 
filed. 

The  draught  of  an  ordinance  for  exempting  persons 
who  enlist  in  the  service  of  the  United  Colonies  from 
arrests,  was  read  the  second  time,  agreed  to,  and  ordered 
to  be  engrossed. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'clock,  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  draught  of  an  ordinance  for  preventing  persons 
deserting  places  in  danger  of  being  attacked,  &c.,  was 
read  the  second  time,  and  committed  to  Mr.  Hart,  Mr. 
Dennis,  and  Mr.  Ogden. 

A  petition  of  the  Committee  for  the  Township  of  Pis- 
cataway,  praying  that  this  Congress  would  take  some 
measures  for  fortifying  Amboy,  was  read,  and  ordered  a 
second  reading. 

The 


377 


The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  an  ordinance  for 
numbering  the  inhabitants  of  this  Colony,  pursuant  to 
the  directions  of  the  Continental  Congress,  brought  in 
the  same ;  which  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  draught  of  an  ordinance  for  striking  fifty  thousand 
Pounds,  and  providing  for  sinking  the  same,  was  read  the 
second  time,  and  referred  to  a  Committee  of  the  Whole 
House  to-morrow  morning. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  9  o'clock. 


,  Tuesday,  February  20,  1776. 

Congress  met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  letter  from  Jacob  Ford,  Esq.,  respecting  the  Eas  - 
ern  Treasurer's  refusing  Continental  bills  in  payment  of 
taxes,  was  read  the  second  time. 

Resolved,  unanimodsly,  Tliat  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Trea- 
surers of  this  Colony  to  receive  the  bills  of  credit  issued 
by  the  Continental  Congress,  in  payment  of  all  taxes  and 
other  debts  payable  to  the  Treasury. 

Mr.  Smyth's  letter  respecting  his  officiating  as  Treasurer, 
was  read  the  second  time. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  President  do  send  the  following  let- 
ter to  Mr.  Smyth. 

"Sir: — I  am  to  inform  you,  that  the  Congress  have 
been  long  waiting  for  your  answer,  whether  you  would 
consider  yourself  as  Treasurer  under  your  former  obliga- 
tion. This  would  be  very  agreeable  to  Congress ;  and 
though  your  indisposition  may  for  some  time  prevent 
your  going  to  the  treasury  chest  at  Mr.  Schenck's  ;  yet 
you  can,  as  occasion  may  require,  have  recourse  thereto 
Dy  such  persons  as  you  can  confide  in. 

"A  resolve  of  the  Congress,  respecting  Continental  cur- 
rency you  have  enclosed." 

The  Congress  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the 
Whole,  on  the  ordinance  for  striking  ^fifty  thousand 

Pounds, 


378 


Pounds,  and  providing  for  sinking  the  same.  After 
some  time  spent  therein,  Mr.  President  resumed  the 
Chair,  and  Mr.  Fisher,  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  re- 
ported. That  they  had  made  some  progress  in  the  mat- 
ters to  them  referred,  and  desired  leave  to  sit  again.  To 
which  the  Congress  agreed. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Congress  again  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of 
the  Whole,  on  the  Ordinance  for  striking  50,0001,  and 
providing  for  sinking  the  same. 

After  some  time  spent  therein,  Mr.  President  resumed 
the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Fisher,  Chairman  of  the  Committee, 
reported,  that  they  had  made  some  further  progress  in 
the  matters  to  them  referred,  and  desired  leave  to  sit 
again.    To  which  the  Congress  agreed. 

A  letter  from  ('olonel  Maxwell,  praying  that  a  com- 
pany of  riflemen  may  be  raised  and  joined  to  his  bat- 
talion, was  read  and  filed. 

A  petition  of  sundry  militia  officers  in  the  County  of 
Burlington,  setting  forth,  that  they  had  been  at  con- 
siderable expence  in  providing  fugal  men,  fifers,  drum- 
mers, &c.,  praying  that  this  Congress  would  reimburse 
them  therefor,  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Adjourned  till  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Wednesday,  February  21, 1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  petition  of  the  Committee  for  the  Township  of 
Piscataway,  praying  that  some  more  equal  mode  of  tax- 
ation may  be  prescribed,  and,  in  particular,  that  money 

at 


379 


at  interest  may  be  taxed,  was  read,  and  referred  to  the 
Committee  on  the  Ordinance  for  striking  50,000  Pounds 
and  providing  for  sinking  the  same. 

The  petition  of  Captain  Joseph  Badcock,  in  the  County 
of  Somerset  inclosing  a  list  of  the  names  of  certain  per- 
sons in  his  company,  who  refused  to  sign  a  muster  roll, 
praying  tlie  advice  of  this  Congress  therein,  was  read  the 
second  time,  and  referred  for  further  consideration. 

This  Congress,  having  received  of  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, half  a  ton  of  gun  powder,  in  order  to  replace  the 
gun  powder,  formerly  lent  said  Continental  Congress,  by 
Somerset,  Brunswick,  Woodbridge  and  Elizabeth  ;  and 
there  being  a  surplus,  after  re-placing  what  had  been 
so  borrowed,  of  which  the  Township  of  Shrewsbury  hath 
made  application  for  part. 

Whereupon  it  is  ordered.  That  said  Township  be  furn- 
ished with  a  cask  of  the  powder  aforesaid,  containing 
lOSlbs.  6oz.,  for  which  said  Township  is  to  account  with 
this  Congress. 

A  motion  being  made  and  debated,  the  question  was 
put,  whether  this  Congress  shall  be  dissolved,  and  the 
electors  have  an  opportunity  of  making  a  new  choice  of 
Deputies,  before  the  time  appointed  by  an  Ordinance  of 
the  last  Congress?  It  was  carried  in  the  affirmative,  as 
follows : 


Yeas — 

Bergen  County, 
Essex  County, 
Burlington  County, 
Gloucester  County. 


Salem  County, 
Cumberland  County, 
Cape  May  County, 


Nays — 

Middlesex  County, 
Morris  County, 
Sussex  County. 


Hunterdon  County, 
Somerset  County. 


On  motion. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  a  new  election  of  Deputies  to 

represent 


1 


380 

represent  this  Colony  in  Provincial  Congress,  on  the 
fourth  Monday  in  May  next. 

Ordered,  That  commissions  be  made  out  for  the  follow- 
ing persons,  officers  of  a  company  in  the  regiment, 
whereof  William  Maxwell,  Esq.,  was  late  Colonel,  agree- 
able to  a  certificate  of  their  appointment,  viz. : 

George  Rible,  Captain  ;  Henry  Shute,  First  Lieuten- 
ant; Richard  Auter,  Second  Lieutenant;  Philip  Winter- 
steen,  Ensign. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  letter  from  Mr.  Smyth,  respecting  his  officiating  as 
Treasurer,  was  read.  To  which  the  following  answer  was 
returned. 

"Sir: — We  are  sorry  to  observe,  that  the  conditions 
you  mention  in  your  letter  of  this  day,  on  which  you  are 
willing  to  execute  the  office  of  Treasurer,  are  not  satisfac- 
tory. We  must  therefore  desire  your  answer  explicitly, 
whether  you  are  willing  to  take  charge  of  the  treasury 
chest,  when  delivered  safely  at  Mr.  Schenck's,  continue 
to  act  as  Treasurer,  and  acknowledge  yourself  account- 
able to  the  Province  as  fully  to  all  intents  and  purposes, 
as  you  was,  by  your  obligation  before  the  removal  of  the 
chest. 

"  If  you  agree  thereto,  as  the  execution  of  the  office 
under  those  circumstances,  will  necessarily  be  attended 
with  extraordinary  expences,  this  Congress  are  willing 
to  make  you  a  reasonable  compensation  therefor." 

A  letter  from  the  Right  Honourable  William  Earl  of 
Stirling  was  received  and  read,  and  is  in  the  words  fol- 
lowing : 

New  York,  20th  February,  1776. 

"  Sir  : — As  the  Asia  man-of-war,  with  her  attendants, 

have 


381 


have  now  taken  their  station  in  the  bay  below  this  city, 
and  the  Phoenix  between  the  Narrows  and  Sandyiiook, 
and  do  take  every  provision  vessel  coming  from  New 
Jersey ;  it  is  become  highly  proper  to  prevent  any  pro- 
visions or  produce  of  any  kind  being  shipped  from  New 
Jersey  to  this  or  any  other  place  whatsoever,  while  those 
ships  continue  in  a  situation  which  will  enable  them  to 
make  seizures  of  them.  I  have,  therefore,  General  Lee's 
directions  to  request,  that  the  Congress  of  New  Jersey 
will  give  immediate  directions  to  prevent  any  provisions 
or  other  produce  being  shipped  or  sent  off  from  any  part 
of  East  New  Jersey,  that  can  possibly  fall  into  the  hands 
of  the  enemy. 

"  I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

Stirling." 

The  President  of  the  Congress  of  the 
Province  of  New  Jersey,  at  New 
Brunswick. 

The  Congress,  sensible  of  the  expediency  of  the  above 
request,  do  Resolve,  That  provisions  and  all  other  kinds 
of  produce  of  this  Colony,  be  immediately  prevented 
from  being  sent  to  New  York,  or  other  parts,  whereby 
they  must  pass  New  York  bay,  or  the  bay  between  Sandy- 
hook  and  Perth  Amboy,  or  Staten  Island  :  And  all 
owners  and  masters  of  vessels  of  every  kind,  are  pro- 
hibited from  sending  any  provisions  or  produce  from 
any  part  of  this  Province  as  aforesaid,  until  permitted  by 
this  Congress. 

All  County  and  Township  Committees  in  the  Eastern 
Division  of  this  Province,  are  hereby  directed  to  be  vigi- 
lant and  active  in  carrying  this  resolve  into  effect. 

Ordered,  That  the  following  persons  be  officers  of  a 
company  of  minute-men  in  the  Township  of  Newark, 
agreeable  to  a  certificate  of  their  election,  viz  :  Joseph 
Ailing,  Captain,  Joseph  Wheeler,  1st  Lieutenant,  Caleb 
Bruen,  2d  Lieutenant,  Isaac  Plume,  Ensign. 

The  draught  of  an  ordinance  to  fix  the  qualifications 
of  electors,  and  of  Deputies,  &c.,  was  read  the  second 

time, 


382 


time,  and  committed  to  Mr.  Fisher,  Mr.  Martin,  Mr. 
Hughes,  Mr.  Covenhoven,  and  Mr.  John  Holmes. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  9  o'clock. 

Thursday,  February  22,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  letter  from  James  Hughes,  a  prisoner  at  Elizabeth- 
town,  informing  tliat  he  is  much  indisposed  in  body, 
praying  leave  of  this  Congress  that  he  may  go  to  New 
York,  and  put  himself  under  the  care  of  Dr.  Jones,  was 
read,  and  referred  to  the  Committee  of  Elizabethtown. 

The  Congress  again  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of 
the  Whole  House,  on  the  ordinance  for  striking  50,0001. 
and  providing  for  sinking  the  same.  After  some  time 
spent  therin,  Mr.  President  resumed  the  Chair,  and  Mr. 
Fisher,  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  reported,  that  they 
liad  gone  through  the  said  ordinance,  and  were  ready  to 
report  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  the  report  be  made  in  the  afternoon. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Mr.  Fisher  from  the  Committee  of  the  Whole  House, 
to  whom  the  ordinance  for  emitting  fifty  thousand 
Pounds  in  bills  of  credit,  for  the  purposes  therein  men- 
tioned, &c.,  reported  the  same,  agreeable  to  the  order  of 
this  morning,  which  was  read;  and  several  amendments 
being  thereunto  made,  was  agreed  to,  and  ordered  to  be 
engrossed. 

The  parties  for  and  against  the  petition  from  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  Township  of  Newark,  against  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  County  of  Essex,  attending,  and  the 
petitioners  requiring  a  longer  day,  in  order  to  procure 
proper  witnesses;  it  is  therefore 

Ordered, 


883 


Ordered,  That  the  further  hearing  of  said  controversy 
be  deferred  till  Tuesday  next,  at  2  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon;  at  which  time,  both  parties  are  required  to  attend 
properh'  prepared,  as  this  Congress  are  resolved  at  that 
time  to  hear  and  determine  said  dispute. 

Adjourned  till  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Friday,  February  23,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  wait  upon  Mr.  Smyth, 
and  remove  the  papers,  books,  and  records  in  the  Sur- 
veyor General's  office  at  Perth  Amboy,  made  report, 
That  they  had  waited  on  Mr.  Smyth,  and  had  as  ordered, 
removed  the  papers,  books  and  records,  mentioned  in  a 
certain  schedule  produced  and  filed. 

Elias  Dayton.  Esq.,  Colonel  of  the  first  regiment  of  foot 
Militia  in  the  County  of  Essex,  being  promoted  to  the 
command  of  a  battalion  in  the  Continental  service;  it  is 
therefore 

Ordered,  That  Edward  Thomas  be  Colonel,  Jeremiah 
Smith,  Lieutenant  Colonel,  and  Oliver  Spencer,  first 
Major  of  said  first  regiment  of  Militia  in  the  County  of 
Essex. 

The  petition  and  remonstrance  of  the  County  Com- 
mittee of  Bergen,  respecting  the  seizure  of  arms  belong- 
ing to  said  County,  by  a  detachmen-t  of  Continental 
troops,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Joseph  Meeker, 
in  the  right  honorable  William  Earl  of  Stirling's  regi- 
ment, was  yead  the  second  time,  and 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  this  Congress  will  either 
pay  for,  or  replace  the  arms  taken  by  Captain  Meeker, 
which  ever  the  County  Committee  of  Bergen  shall  choose; 
and  will  as  soon  as  possible  enquire  fully  into,  and  decide 
upon  the  cause  of  complaint  exhibited  in  said  petition 
and  remonstrance. 

Resolved, 


38  i 

Resolved,  That  a  letter  be  immediately  written  and 
signed  by  the  President,  to  the  right  honorable  William 
Earl  of  Stirling  respecting  the  seizure  of  the  arms  afore- 
said, and  desiring  that  his  Lordship  would  transmit  to 
this  Congress  a  copy  of  the  orders  given  Captain  Meeker  ; 
as  also  of  those  which  his  Lordship  received  of  the 
honorable  Continental  Congress,  respecting  said  arms. 

This  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  a  Court  of 
Admiralty,  and  Resolved,  That  said  court  be  instituted  in 
this  Province  as  soon  as  possible  ;  and  that  Mr.  Carey 
and  Mr.  Clark  be  added  to  the  Committee  appointed  to 
draught  an  ordinance  for  that  purpose. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Committee  to  whom  the  draught  of  an  ordinance 
for  fixing  the  qualifications  of  electors  and  deputies,  &c., 
was  committed,  reported  the  same  with  amendments; 
which  being  read,  was  committed  to  a  Committee  of  the 
Whole  House. 

The  Congress  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the 
Whole  House,  on  the  ordinance  for  fixing  the  qualifica- 
tions of  electors  and  deputies,  &c.,  after  some  time  spent 
therein,  Mr.  President  resumed  the  chair,  and  Mr.  Fisher, 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  reported,  that  tliey  had 
made  some  progress  in  the  matters  to  them  referred,  and 
desired  leave  to  sit  again.  To  which  the  Congress  agreed. 

The  engrossed  ordinance  directing  the  manner  of 
signing  the  General  .Association,  &c.,  was  read  and  com- 
pared. 

Resolved,  That  the  same  do  pass. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Wetherill,  Mr.  Hart,  Mr.  Elmer, 
Mr.  Mehelm,  and  Mr.  Dunham,  be  a  Committee  to  pre- 
pare an  ordinance  for  defraying  incidental  charges. 

Adjourned  till  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Saturda}', 


385 


Saturday,  February  24,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  engrossed  ordinance  for  appointing  barrack  mas- 
ters in  this  Province,  &c.,  was  read  and  compared. 
Resolved,  That  the  same  do  pass. 

The  engrossed  ordinance  for  exempting  persons  who 
enlist  in  the  service  of  the  United  Colonies,  from  arrests, 
was  read  and  compared. 

Resolved,  That  the  same  do  pass. 

The  several  petitions  and  memorials  respecting  the 
minute  men  in  this  Province,  &c.,  were  read  the  second 
time;  and  after  some  deliberation  thereon, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Clark,  Mr.  Hart,  Mr.  Elmer,  and  Mr. 
Martin,  be  a  Committee  to  prepare  an  ordinance  for  reg- 
ulating the  former  minute  department  of  Militia,  and 
incorporating  the  same  with  the  standing  Militia. 

Mr.  Josiah  Seely,  appointed  1st  Lieutenant  in  Captain 
Bloomfield's  com  pan}',  informed  this  Congress,  that  since 
his  nomination,  some  particular  circumstances  happened, 
which  laid  him  under  the  necessity  of  declining  said 
appointment;  whereupon  the  Congress  proceeded  to  the 
choice  of  a  first  Lieutenant  in  said  company,  when  Con- 
stant Peck  was  elected. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  petition  of  officers  and  the  privates,  in  the  com- 
pany whereof  George  Taylor,  Esq.,  was  Captain,  at  the 
time  of  being  elected  Colonel,  was  read  the  second  time, 
and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 

The  petition  of  sundry  Militia  officers  in  the  County  of 
Burlington,  praying,  that  this  Congress  will  reimburse 

them 

26 


386 


them  their  expencein  providing  fugal  men,  &c.,  was  read 
the  second  time  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 

The  letter  from  the  County  Committee  of  Somerset, 
and  the  petition  from  the  Township  Committee  of  Piscat- 
away,  setting  forth,  that  Perth  Amboy  is  much  exposed 
to  hostile  invasions,  and  praying  that  some  measures 
might  be  taken  to  fortify  said  place,  and  guard  it  against 
invasions  were  read  the  second  lime. 

As  the  matter  contained  in  said  letter  and  petition,  is 
of  great  importance  to  this  Colony  in  particular,  and  to 
the  United  Colonies  in  general ;  and  as  the  carrying  the 
same  into  effect  will  be  attended  with  considerable  ex- 
pense, it  was  moved  and  agreed,  that  the  following  letter 
be  sent  to  the  Continental  Congress  : 

Gentlemen: — This  Congress  having  taken  into  their 
serious  consideration,  the  necessity  of  defending  such 
parts  of  this  Colony  as  are  more  immediately  exposed  to 
an  invasion  of  the  enemy,  are  of  opinion,  that  the  city  of 
Perth  Amboy,  in  East  Jersey,  from  its  open  channel,  and 
safe  harbour,  and  from  its  local  situation,  is  a  place  de- 
serving the  utmost  attention  at  this  time.  As  the  city  of 
New  York  has  at  present  a  large  bod}'^  of  troops,  and 
fortifications  are  now  erecting  for  its  defence,  it  is  more 
than  probable,  that  the  enemy,  sensible  of  these  prepar- 
ations, will  attempt  a  lodgment  at  Perth  Amboy,  from 
whence  incursions  might  easily  be  made  into  the  heart 
of  the  country,  before  a  sufficient  force  can  be  collected 
to  oppose  them. 

That  part  of  West  Jersey,  which  is  situate  on  the  river 
Delaware,  below  Philadelphia,  appears  also  to  merit 
great  attention  at  this  time.  Opposite  to  Reedy  Island, 
at  a  place  called  Elsenborough,  in  the  County  of  Salem, 
a  landing  might  easily  be  effected.  I'his  is  within  forty 
miles  of  Philadelphia,  in  a  County  abounding  with  pro- 
visions ;  and  from  whence  an  army  might  easily  make  its 
way  to  Cooper's  Ferry  in  a  very  short  time. 

This  Congress  would  be  happy,  if  they  had  it  in  their 
power  to  take  into  immediate  pay,  a  sufficient  body  of 
troops  for  the  defence  of  both  these  important  posts:  but 

as 


387 


as  this  will  be  an  expence  too  great  for  this  Colony  to 
support  upon  its  own  bottom,  and  as  the  being  guarded 
at  all  points,  is  a  matter  of  the  utmost  importance  to  the 
common  cause,  more  especially  to  the  cities  of  Philadel- 
phia and  New  York ;  this  Congress  beg  leave  to  submit 
to  the  consideration  of  your  Honourable  House,  the 
urgent  necessity  of  making  some  immediate  preparations 
to  prevent  any  attempt  of  the  enemy  to  land  an  army  in 
those  parts  of  this  Province,  which  appear  to  be  so  situa- 
ted, as  greatly  to  facilitate  tlie  success  of  such  an  attempt. 
One  or  two  battalions,  with  two  artillery  companies,  may 
be  sufficient  for  this  important  service.  And  we  humbly 
submit  to  your  consideration  the  necessity  and  propriety 
of  such  a  step  being  immediately  adopted.  We  wish  not 
to  put  the  continent  to  this  expense  for  the  sole  defense 
of  the  inhabitants  of  this  Colony:  but  the  interests  of 
this  Colony  in  paiticular  being  so  connected  with  that  of 
the  United  Colonies  in  general,  as  to  render  an  invasion 
in  New  Jersey,  a  matter  of  the  utmost  importance  to  all ; 
we  humbly  conceive,  that  the  necessity  of  the  occasion 
will  induce  the  wisdom  of  your  Honourable  House  to 
take  into  Continental  pay  two  battalions  and  two  compa- 
nies of  artillery;  or  such  a  bod}'^  of  forces  as  may  be 
thought  sufficient  to  answer  this  desirable  purpose. 

The  express  by  which  this  is  forwarded,  will  wait  your 
commands ;  and  I  am  to  request  the  favour  of  an  answer 
as  soon  as  possible. 

I  am  likewise  to  request,  that  commissions  maybe  sent 
for  the  officers  of  the  Third  battalion,  as  some  of  the 
companies  are  already  full,  and  others  in  a  fair  way. 
I  am,  Gentlemen, 

Your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

Sam.  Tucker, 

President. 

By  order  of  the  Congress. 

To  the  Hon.  Continental  Congress. 

Adjourned  till  Monday  morning  9  o'clock. 


Monday, 


388 


Monday,  February  26,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  Resolution  of  the  Continental  Congress  was  received 
and  read,  and  is  in  the  words  following: 

In  Congress,  February  22,  1776. 

A  Delegate  from  New  Jersey,  having  informed  Con- 
gress that  the  regiment  of  militia  ordered  by  the  Con- 
vention of  that  Colony,  to  march  to  the  defence  of  New 
York,  in  consequence  of  the  resolve  of  Congress  of  the 
12th  of  .this  month,  were  not  sufficiently  armed,  and  that 
they  could  not  be  furnished  with  arms,  unless  the  Con- 
gress supplied  them  ;  and  as  this  Congress  have  not  arms 
to  spare,  those  they  have,  being  necessary  for  arming  the 
battalions  in  the  Continental  service  : 

Therefore  resolved,  That  the  march  of  said  battalion  of 
militia  be  countermanded. 

Extract  from  the  minutes. 

Charles  Thompson, 

Secretary. 

Ordered,  That  the  officers  be  immediately  notified  of 
the  above  countermand. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Petitions  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  and 
Observation  for  the  Precinct  of  New  Barbados,  and 
Hackinsack,  of  the  Township  Committee  of  Franklin, 
and  of  the  Precinct  Committee  of  Saddle  River,  in  the 
County  of  Bergen,  setting  forth,  that  the  Deputies  who 
represent  the  said  County  in  Provincial  Congress,  and 
the  persons  who  compose  the  County  Committee  of  Ber- 
gen, were  not  duly  elected,  &c.,  praying  that  the  said 
Deputies  may  be  dismissed  from  their  seats  in  Congress  ; 
that  the  said  Committee  may  be  dissolved,  and  that  a 

new 


389 


new  election  may  be  directed,  were  read,  and  ordered  a 
second  reading. 

The  Township  Committee  of  Trenton,  made  return  of 
the  persons,  who,  in  their  bounds  signed  the  general 
Association  of  this  Colony,  and  of  those  who  refused  so 
to  do ;  which  was  ordered  to  be  filed. 

The  Committee  to  whom  the  draught  of  an  ordinance 
respecting  persons  who  remove  from  the  adjacent  Colo- 
nies, &c.  was  committed,  reported  the  same  with  amend- 
ments, which  being  read,  was  agreed  to,  and  ordered  to 
be  engrossed. 

The  Congress  again  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of 
the  Whole  House,  on  the  ordinance  for  fixing  the  quali- 
fications of  electors  and  Deputies,  &c.  After  some  time 
spent  therein,  the  President  resumed  the  Chair,  and  Mr. 
Fisher,  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  reported,  that  they 
had  gone  thro'  the  said  ordinance,  which  being  read, 
was  agreed  to,  and  ordered  to  be  engrossed. 

Adjourned  till  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 


Tuesday,  February  27,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  letter  from  John  Smyth,  Esq.,  Treasurer  of  the 
Eastern  Division  of  tiiis  Colony,  was  read,  and  is  in  the 
following  words : 

"Sir: — Mr.  Stevens,  according  to  my  request,  has  been 
so  good  as  to  come  down  to  this  place,  to  whom  I  com- 
municated the  letter  sent  to  me  by  the  Congress,  relative 
to  the  removal  of  the  Treasury,  as  I  did  to  my  other 
securities  some  time  before. 

"I  find  that  they  are  willing  to  continue  security  for 
me,  considering  the  difficulty  of  the  times,  provided  the 
chest  is  removed  to  a  place  where  the  office  may  be  exe- 
cuted 


390 


cuted  in  the  usual  manner.  I  would  therefore  propose, 
that,  as  I  am  not  now  able,  and  have  little  prospect  of 
being  so,  in  less  than  six  weeks,  to  attend  the  chest,  it  be 
removed  to  Mr.  Stevens',  who  will  receive  the  taxes  that 
are  still  to  be  paid  in;  and  the  County  Collectors  may 
be  desired  to  attend  at  his  house  for  that  purpose.  In 
which  case  no  one  will  or  can  have  recourse  to  the  chest, 
but  those  who  have  already  entered  into  engagements, 
and  are  by  law  accountable  to  the  public,  for  the  due 
performance  of  my  office,  which  cannot  in  justice  or 
reason  be  expected  of  me  or  them,  without  the  chest  is 
suffered  to  remain  in  my  or  their  possession. 

"As  this  proposal  fully  comprehends  the  declared  in- 
tention of  the  Congress  in  removing  the  chest,  I  cannot 
doubt  its  proving  fully  agreeable  and  satisfactory  to 
them. 

"  Whenever  I  am  able  to  attend  the  duty  of  the  office 
abroad,  the  chest  may  then  be  removed  to  any  other 
place,  that  shall  be  agreed  on  by  all  concerned,  there  to 
remain  until  we  see  happier  times. 

"  Mr.  Stevens  goes  home  by  way  of  Brunswick,  to 
whom  I  beg  you  will  please  to  give  your  answer,  who 
will  forward  it  to  me. 

"I  am,  your  most  humble  servant, 

John  Smyth." 

Perth  Am  boy,  Feb.  26,  1776. 
Samuel  Tucker,  Esq. 

On  the  question  being  put,  whether  the  treasury  chest 
of  the  Eastern  Division  of  this  Colony,  lately  removed 
by  a  resolve  of  this  Congress,  from  Perth  Amboy,  in 
order  to  be  lodged  in  the  hands  of  Peter  Schenck,  Esq., 
at  Milstone,  for  the  sake  of  greater  safety,  be,  agreeable 
to  the  request  of  Mr.  Smyth,  the  Eastern  Treasurer,  car- 
ried to  the  dwelling  house  of  the  Honorable  John  Stevens, 
one  of  Mr.  Smyth's  securities,  there  to  remain  during  Mr. 
Smyth's  indisposition,  or  until  this  Congress  shall  take 
further  order  therein,  on  the  terms  expressed  in  the 
above  letter,  to  wit,  that  Mr.  Smyth  and  his  securities 
continue  bound  by  their  former  obligations;  and  pro- 
vided they  be  at  the  charge  of  such  removal  ?  It  was 
carried  in  the  affirmative  as  follows : 

Yeas — 


391 


Yeas — 
Bergen, 
Essex, 
Monmouth, 


Burlington, 
Salem, 


Cape  May, 
Hunterdon. 


Naj's — 
Middlesex, 
Somerset, 


Morris, 
Sussex, 


Cumberland. 


The  petitions  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  and 
Observation,  for  the  precinct  of  New  Barbadoes  and 
Hackinsack,  of  the  Township  Committee  of  Franklin, 
and  of  the  precinct  Committee  of  Saddle  River,  in  the 
County  of  Bergen,  setting  forth,  that  the  Deputies  who 
represent  the  said  County  in  Provincial  Congress,  and 
the  persons  who  compose  the  County  Committee  of  Ber- 
gen, were  not  duly  elected,  &c.,  and  praying,  that  the 
said  Deputies  may  be  dismissed  from  their  seats  in  Con- 
gress, that  the  said  County  Committee  may  be  dissolved, 
and  that  a  new  election  may  be  directed,  were  read  the 
second  time. 

Whereas  this  Congress  expect  soon  to  rise,  and,  having 
already  resolved  upon  a  dissolution,  have  directed,  that, 
on  the  fourth  Monday  in  May  next,  the  several  Counties 
in  this  Province  proceed  to  the  election  of  Deputies  for 
Provincial  Congress,  and  of  County  Committees,  think  it 
unnecessary,  at  this  time,  to  enter  into  the  merits  of,  and 
decide  upon,  the  complaint  exhibited  in  the  above  peti- 
tions. Tliis  Congress,  however,  direct,  that  all  the  money 
raised  in  the  County  of  Bergen,  by  a  former  resolve  of 
Congress,  be  immediately  collected  and  paid  into  the 
hands  of  the  County  Collector;  to  be  drawn  out  and 
appropriated,  as  the  County  Committee  of  Bergen  shall 
direct,  agreeable  to  former  resolutions  of  Congress;  and 
that  said  Committee  do  keep  proper  accounts  of  all  such 
appropriations  and  expenditures,  to  be  laid  before  Con- 
gress when  required. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 


Met  according  to  adjournment. 


The 


392 


The  memorial  of  James  Richmond,  setting  forth,  that 
the  ships  of  war  in  New  York  bay,  do  not  make  captures  . 
of  vessels  freighted  with  wheat,  and  praying  permission 
of  this  Congress  to  carry  produce  from  this  Colony  to 
New  York,  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Pursuant  to  the  order  of  the  day,  the  Congress  went 
into  the  consideration  of  the  petition  from  the  Committee 
for  the  Township  of  Newark,  against  the  County  Com- 
mittee of  Essex.  The  deputies  Irom  said  Committees, 
attending,  were  heard  for  and  against  the  said  petition. 
After  which  they  withdrew. 

The  above  petition  was  referred  for  further  considera- 
tion. 

Adjourned  till  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Wednesday,  February  28, 1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Whereas  the  late  resolution  of  this  Congress,  pro- 
hibiting the  export  of  provisions  and  produce  from  this 
Colony  to  New  York,  was  founded  on  information,  that 
the  ships  of  war  in  New  York  bay,  made  captures  of 
vessels  so  laden;  and  whereas  this  Congress  are  fully 
satisfied,  tliat  the  reason  of  making  said  prohibition  no 
longer  subsists  :  It  is  therefore- 

Resolved,  unanimously.  That  the  Resolution  of  this  Con- 
gress, made  the  twenty-first  da}'  of  this  instant  February, 
prohibiting  the  export  of  provisions  and  produce  from 
this  Colony  to  the  city  of  New  York,  be,  and  is  hereby 
repealed. 

This  Congress  having  resumed  the  consideration  of 
the  petition  of  ihe  Township  of  Newark,  lament,  that 
any  disputes  should  arise  among  persons  distinguished 
for  their  zeal  and  activity  in  promoting  the  common 
cause  of  America;  and  regret  the  necessity  of  their  inter- 
ference to  compose  the  dissentious,  that  have  for  some 

time 


393 


time  subsisted  between  tbe  County  Committee  of  Essex, 
and  the  Township  Committee  of  Newark.  In  order,  how- 
ever, to  decide  upon  said  dispute,  and  in  hopes  of  recon- 
ciling the  parties  at  variance,  it  is 

Resolved,  That,  as  by  the  late  Ordinances  of  Congress, 
the  County  Committee  have  undoubted  right  to  appoint 
a  County  Collector,  and  dispose  of  the  money  raised  by 
an  Ordinance  of  the  late  Congress,  the  Committee  of  the 
Township  of  Newark  be,  and  they  are  hereby  enjoined 
to  cease  claiming  the  disposition  of  such  money;  but 
whereas  there  was  no  County  Committee  in  the  County 
of  Essex,  before  the  twenty-first  day  of  September  last, 
until  which  time,  the  Township  Committees  had  the  dis- 
posal of  the  money  raised  as  aforesaid  in  their  respective 
Townships:  It  is  therefore  further 

Resolved,  That  all  monies  actually  expended  by  said 
Township  Committees,  before  that  time,  be  allowed  by 
said  County  Committees  to  be  a  legal  expenditure;  and 
the  arms  or  ammunition  purchased  by  each  Townshi[) 
Committee,  as  well  as  such  as  shall  be  purchased  by  the 
County  Committee,  be  considered  as  a  County  stock,  and 
divided  to  each  Township  according  to  its  quota  of  such 
tax:  And  if  any  Township  Committee  in  Essex  have 
made  contracts  for  ammunition,  not  already  fulfilled,  it 
is  recommended  to  the  County  Committee  to  fulfill  such 
contracts,  aiid  to  distribute  the  ammunition  procured 
thereby  in  the  Townships  as  aforesaid. 

The  engrossed  Ordinance  for  striking  the  sum  of 
50,0001.  five  shillings,  in  bills  of  credit,  for  the  purposes 
therein  mentioned,  and  directing  the  manner  of  sinking 
the  same,  was  read  and  compared. 

Resolved,  That  the  same  do  pass. 

The  engrossed  Ordinance,  to  prevent  persons  deserting 
places  in  danger  of  being  attacked,  and  for  restraining 
such  as  are  dangerous  to  the  common  cause,  from  taking 
refuge  in  this  Colony,  was  read  and  compared ;  and  on 
the  question,  Whether  the  same  do  pass  or  not?  it  was 
carried  in  the  aflirmativCj  as  follows : 

Yeas — 


394 


Yeas — 


Bergen, 
Morris, 
Hunterdon 


Essex. 

Somerset, 

Cumberland. 


Middlesex, 
Sussex, 


Nays — 

Monmouth,  Salem,  Burlington, 

Cape  May. 

Resolved,'  That  the  same  do  pass. 
On  motion. 

Ordered,  That  Doctor  Baldwin  be  Surgeon  for  the  Sec- 
ond regiment  of  foot  militia  in  the  County  of  Sussex, 
whereof  Ephraim  Martin,  Esq.,  is  Colonel. 

On  motion. 

Ordered,  That  Doctor  Jonathan  Horton,  be  Surgeon  for 
the  Western  regiment  of  foot  militia,  in  the  County  of 
Morris,  whereof  Jacob  Drake,  Esq.,  is  Colonel. 

Agreeable  to  certificate. 

Ordered,  That  the  following  persons  be  officers  of  three 
of  the  militia  companies  in  the  precinct  of  New  Barba- 
does,  and  County  of  Bergen,  and  in  the  regiment  whereof 
Theunis  Dey,  Esq.,  is  Colonel,  viz.,  Jacob  Terhune,  Cap- 
tain, George  Brinckerhoff,  First  Lieutenant,  Hendrick 
Budon,  Second  Lieutenant,  and  Jacobus  Poulesse,  Ensign 
of  the  New  Barbadoes  company.  Nicausa  Terhune,  Cap- 
tain, Jacob  Van  Winkle,  First  Lieutenant,  John  Uriancy, 
Second  Lieutenant,  and  Walling  Van  Winkle,  Ensign  of 
the  Polliflv  company.  Jacobus  Jaralman,  Captain,  Peter 
Sand  ford.  First  Lieutenant,  Elijah  Sanford,  Second  Lieu- 
tenant, and  John  Jaralman,  Ensign  of  the  New  Barba- 
does Neck  company. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 


A  representation  from  the  Township  Committee  of 

Wood  bridge. 


395 


Wooclbridge,  praying,  that  money  at  interest  may  be 
taxed ;  that  the  people  called  Quakers  may,  for  non- 
attendance  on  military  duty,  pay  an  equivalent  to  the 
expense  and  services  of  Associators  ;  and  that  Perth 
Amboy,  which  is  much  exposed  to  an  attack  from  the 
enemy,  may  be  fortified  and  guarded ;  was  read,  and 
ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  petition  of  the  Township  Committee  of  Piscataway, 
and  of  the  military  officers  in  said  Township,  setting 
forth,  that  the  ordinance  of  last  Congress  for  the  further 
regulation  of  the  militia,  was  defective  in  several  particu- 
lars, &c.,  praying,  that  this  Congress  would  device  some 
remedy  therefor,  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  an  ordinance  for 
regulating  the  former  minute  department  of  militia,  and 
incorporating  the  same  with  the  standing  militia,  re- 
ported the  same,  which  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second 
reading. 

The  engrossed  ordinance  for  directing  the  mode  and 
fixing  the  time  for  the  election  of  Deputies  to  serve  in 
Provincial  Congress  for  this  Colony ;  and  also  to  ascertain 
the  qualification  of  electors,  &c.,  was  read  and  compared. 

Resolved,  That  the  same  do  pass. 

Agreeable  to  certificate. 

Ordered,  That  the  following  persons  be  officers  of  a 
company  in  the  Second  Regiment  of  foot  militia  in  the 
County  of  Somerset,  under  the  command  of  Abraham 
Quick,  Esq.,  Colonel,  viz.,  William  Churchill  Houston, 
Captain,  Aaron  Longstreet,  First  Lieutenant,  Zebulon 
Barton,  Second  Lieutenant,  and  James  Stockton,  Ensign. 

The  Township  Committee  of  Amwell,  in  the  County 
of  Hunterdon,  having  made  return  of  the  persons  who 
signed,  and  of  those  who  refused  to  sign  the  General 
Association  of  this  Colony. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  filed. 

The 


396 


The  draught  of  an  ordinance  for  numbering  the  in- 
habitants of  this  Colony,  pursuant  to  the  direction  of  the 
Continental  Congress,  was  read  the  second  time,  and 
after  certain  amendments,  was  agreed  to,  and  ordered  to 
be  engrossed. 

Resolved,  That  Samuel  Tucker  and  John  Dennis, 
Esquires,  Treasurers  of  this  Colony,  shall  each  of  them, 
give  bond  with  security,  for  the  faithful  performance  of 
their  office,  in  the  sum  of  10,0001.,  to  John  Wetherill,, 
Hendrick  Fisher,  Abraham  Clark,  John  Hart,  Isaac 
Pearson,  and  Augustine  Stevenson,  Esquires,  and  the 
survivors  of  them,  in  trust  for  the  said  Colony. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  9  o'clock. 

Thursday,  February  29,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Continental  Congress  having  desired  this  Congress 
to  give  directions  for  conveying  the  baggage  belonging 
to  the  prisoners  taken  at  St.  John's,  from  Wallpack  iu 
this  Colony,  to  Lancaster,  in  the  Province  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Martin  and  Major  Brown,  be, 
and  they  hereby  are  directed  to  carry  the  above  requisi- 
tion into  effect. 

The  Congress  having  resumed  the  consideration  of  the 
necessity  of  instituting  a  Court  of  Admiralty  in  this 
Colony, 

Resolved,  That  the  erection  of  such  Court  be  deferred 
until  some  future  day  ;  but  as  it  is  liighly  expedient 
immediately  to  determine  upon  the  seizure  of  the  ship 
Blue  Mountain  Valley,  that  this  Congress  will  proceed 
to  the  decision  thereof  to-morrow,  at  two  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon. 

On  motion, 

Agreed,  That  the  President  write  to  the  Chairman  of 

the 


397 


the  Committee  of  Elizabethtown,  desiring  that  he  would 
cause  such  witnesses  as  may  be  necessary,  respecting  the 
above  capture,  to  appear  before  Congress  at  the  time 
aforementioned. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  an  Ordinance  for 
defraying  incidental  charges,  reported  the  same;  which 
was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment, 

Mr.  Coachy,  appointed  an  Ensign  in  Captain  Ross's 
company,  having  declined  accepting  said  appointment, 
the  Congress  proceeded  to  the  election  of  an  Ensign, 
when  George  Cottnam  was  elected. 

The  draught  of  an  Ordinance  for  regulating  the  former 
minute  department  of  militia,  and  incorporating  the 
same  with  the  standing  militia,  was  read  the  second 
time,  and,  after  sundry'  amendments,  was  agreed  to,,  and 
ordered  to  be  engrossed. 

Adjourned  till  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 


Friday,  March  1,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Congress  having  resumed  the  consideration  of  the 
charge  exhibited  against  Peter  Vroom, 

Resolved,  That  said  Peter  Vroom  pay  the  costs  of  the 
present  prosecution,  to  be  taxed  by  the  Township  Com- 
mittee of  Piscataway,  and  give  obligation  with  surety,  to 
the  Chairman  of  said  Committee  in  the  sum  of  150 
Pounds  for  his  good  behaviour  in  future  ;  that  he  yield 
up  to  said  Chairman  all  his  arms  and  weapons  of  de- 
fence, to  remain  in  custody  of  said  Chairman,  until  the 
said  Committee  shall  deem  it  proper  to  re-deliver  them ; 

and 


398 


and  on  non-compliance  herewith,  that  said  Vroom  be 
committed  to  the  keeper  of  the  common  goal  of  the 
Count}'  of  Middlesex,  who  is  hereby  ordered  to  keep  him 
in  close  confinement,  during  such  non-compliance. 

The  Congress  proceeded  to  the  election  of  officers  for 
the  two  companies  of  artillery,  when  the  following  per- 
sons were  chosen : 

Frederick  Freelinghuysen,  Captain;  Daniel  Neil,  Cap- 
tain-Lieutenant; Thomas  Clark,  First  Lieutenant,  and 
John  Heard,  Second  Lieutenant  of  the  Eastern  Com- 
pany. Samuel  Hugg,  Captain;  Thomas  Newark,  Cap- 
tain-Lieutenant, John  Westcott,  First  Lieutenant,  and 
Joseph  Dayton,  Second  Lieutenant  of  the  Western  Com- 
pany. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Carey  and  Mr.  Clark  be  a  Commit- 
tee to  prepare  an  Ordinance  for  raising  two  companies 
of  artillery  in  this  Colony,  and  providing  for  their  pay 
and  subsistence. 

Ordered,  That  ISfr.  Carey  and  Mr.  Clark  be  a  Commit- 
tee to  draw  the  form  of  a  bond  to  be  executed  by  the 
Treasurers. 

Mr.  Dennis  presented  to  this  Congress,  the  Hon.  John 
Stevens's  receipt  for  the  treasury  chest;  which  was  read, 
and  ordered  to  be  filed,  and  is  in  the  words  following: 

Received  of  John  Dennis,  Esq.,  the  treasury  chest  of 
the  Eastern  Division  of  New  Jersey,  lately  removed  from 
Perth  Amboy,  and  deposited  with  Mr.  Dennis,  by  order 
of  Congress ;  which  chest  is  now  locked,  and  the  key  re- 
maining in  the  hands  of  the  Treasurer,  John  Smyth, 
Esq.  The  treasury  chest  aforesaid,  with  its  contents,  I 
received  into  my  charge  for  the  purposes  mentioned  in 
Mr.  Smyth's  letter  of  the  26th  of  February,  directed  to, 
and  in  the  possession  of  the  Congress  of  New  Jersey. 
Dated  the  twenty-eighth  day  of  February,  Anno  Domini, 
1776. 

John  Stevens. 


On 


399 


On  motion, 

An  ordinance  for  paying  a  bounty  on  salt  petre,  and 
common  salt,  manufactured  in  New  Jersey,  and  for  pur 
chasing  salt  petre,  was  brought  in  and  read,  and  ordered 
a  second  reading. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  ordinance  for  paying  a  bounty  on  salt  petre,  and 
common  salt,  manufactured  in  new  Jersey,  &c.,  was  read 
the  second  time,  and  several  amendments  being  thereunto 
made,  the  same  was  agreed  to,  and  ordered  to  be  en- 
grossed. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  draw  the  draught  of  an 
ordinance  for  raising  two  artillery  companies  in  New 
Jersey,  and  providing  for  their  pay  and  subsistence, 
brought  in  the  same,  which  was  read,  and  ordered  a 
second  reading, 

Agreed,  That  John  Dennis,  Esq.,  send  the  records  of 
the  Surveyor  General's  Office,  to  the  house  of  Peter 
Schenck,  Esquire. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Dennis  and  Mr.  Dunham,  be  a  Com- 
mittee to  adjust  and  settle  the  accounts  of  powder  fur- 
nished the  Earl  of  Stirling,  by  Somerset,  Brunswick, 
Woodbridge  and  Elizabethtown,  and  to  repay  the  same 
out  of  the  half  ton  sent  this  Congress  by  the  honorable 
Continental  Congress.  That  said  Committee  are  to  keep 
the  surplus  in  their  hands  on  account ;  and  to  repori  to 
the  next  Congress  or  Committee  of  Safety. 

Agreeable  to  order,  the  Congress  took  under  considera- 
tion the  capture  of  the  ship  Blue  Mountain  Valley,  and 
having  heard  and  examined  the  proofs  respecting  the 
same,  postponed  the  decision  until  to-morrow  morning. 

Adjourned  till  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Saturday, 


400 


Saturday,  March  2,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  draught  of  an  ordinance  for  raising  two  companies 
of  artillery,  and  providing  for  their  pay  and  subsistence, 
was  read  the  second  time;  and  being  amended,  was 
agreed  to,  and  ordered  to  be  engrossed. 

The  Congress  proceeded  to  the  determination  of  the 
prize  ship  Blue  Mountain  Valley,  now  lying  at  Elizabeth- 
town  Point,  lately  seized  by  Lord  Stirling,  with  detach- 
ments of  the  Continental  forces,  and  militia:  And  it 
appearing  by  the  testimony  of  creditable  witnesses,  upon 
their  oaths,  that  the  said  ship,  John  H.  Dempster,  master, 
sailed  from  London  some  time  last  fall,  laden  with  stores 
shipped  by  order  of  the  right  honorable  the  Lords  Com- 
missioners of  his  Majesty's  Treasury,  bound  to  the  port 
of  Boston,  or  any  one  other  port  in  America:  The  said 
cargo  by  the  bill  of  loading,  dated  the  30th  day  of  Sep- 
tember, 1775,  to  be  delivered  unto  the  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  his  Majesty's  forces  in  America,  or  to  his  order. 
And  the  honorable  Continental  Congress,  having  pre- 
vious to  the  taking  the  aforesaid  ship, 

Resolved,  That  all  transport  vessels  in  the  same  ser- 
vice having  on  board  any  troops,  arms,  ammunition, 
clothing,  provisions,  or  military  or  naval  stores  of  what 
kind  so  ever,  and  all  vessels  to  whomsoever  belonging, 
that  shall  be  employed  in  carrying  provisions  or  other 
necessaries,  to  the  British  army  or  armies,  or  navy,  that 
now  are,  or  hereafter  shall  be  within  any  of  the  United 
Colonies,  or  any  goods,  wares,  or  merchandize,  for  the 
use  of  such  fleet  or  army,  shall  be  liable  to  seizure,  and, 
with  their  cargoes,  shall  be  confiscated." 

It  is  therefore  Resolved,  That  the  said  ship  Blue  Moun- 
tain Valley,  with  such  of  her  cargo,  as  was  shipped  by 
order  of  the  said  Lords  Commissioners  of  his  Majesty's 
Treasury  directed,  as  by  said  bills  of  loading,  to  be  de- 
livered at  the  port  of  Boston,  or  eslewhere,  unto  the 
Commander-in-Chief  of  his  Majesty's  forces  in  America, 
or  to  his  order:  shall  be  and  is  hereby  confiscated  to  the 

use 


'401 


use  of  the  captors,  pursuant  to  the  general  directions  for 
distribution,  resolved  on  by  the  said  honorable  Conti- 
nental Congress. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  ship  and  cargo  be  disposed  of 
b}'  any  two  agents  or  persons  to  be  chosen,  the  one  by 
Lord  Stirling,  and  the  other  by  the  Committee  of  Eliza- 
bethtown. 

Resolved,  That  all  the  necessary  charge  and  expense, 
which  have  arisen,  by  guarding  and  securing  said  prize, 
and  supporting  the  seamen,  be  first  deducted  out  of  the 
neat  proceeds  of  such  sales. 

Resolved,  That  the  amount  of  the  sales  of  the  ship  and 
cargo  (the  expense  and  charge  of  guarding  and  securing 
the  same,  and  supporting  the  seamen  being  first  deducted 
and  paid  thereout)  be  divided  among  all  the  captors,  as 
well  those  of  the  militia  sent  out  by  the  Committee  of 
Elizabetlitown,  as  such  of  the  Continental  forces  as  were 
employed  in  that  service  under  Lord  Stirling:  that  the 
said  distribution  be  made  among  the  officers,  privates, 
and  to  the  vessels  employed  in  said  captor,  in  such  man- 
ner as  is  usually  distributed  in  the  neighbouring  Colonies, 
agreeable  to  the  resolutions  of  the  Continental  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  all  such  goods,  wares,  and  merchandize 
on  board  said  ship,  belonging  to  the  captain,  mates,  and 
seamen,  as  their,  or  either  of  their  own  private  properties, 
be  reserved  for  the  proprietors  thereof,  and  delivered  to 
them  free  of  all  costs  and  deductions. 

Resolved,  That  the  captain  and  seamen  belonging  to 
said  ship  when  seized,  be  suffered  to  go  to  any  place 
they  may  think  proper  (his  Majesty's  fleet  or  army  only 
excepted.) 

And  this  Congress  recommend  to  the  captors  of  said 
ship,  to  make  some  gratuity  to  each  of  the  seamen  on 
board,  to  enable  them  to  travel  to  some  other  parts  in 
pursuit  of  business. 

The  draught  of  a  letter  to  the  Committee  of  Safety  of 
Pennsylvania,  in  answer  to  their  letter  respecting  raising 
artillery  companies  in  this  Province,  was  read,  and  agreed 
to,  and  ordered  to  be  engrossed;  which  wds  done  accord- 
ingly, and  is  in  the  words  following : 

Gentlemen : — 

27 


402 


Gentlemen: — The  Congress  liavo  taken  into  their  seri- 
ous consideration  the  important  matters  recommended  to 
them  by  your  letter  of  the  fifth  ultimo. 

It  is  with  pleasure  that  this  Congress  find  that  you 
have  taken  so  ver}'  necessary  a  step,  as  to  cause  a  survey 
to  be  made  of  the  Jersey  shore  upon  the  river  Delaware; 
and  this  Congress  concur  with  you  in  opinion,  that  the 
necessity  of  making  an  early  provision  to  guard  Vjotli 
shores  against  common  danger,  is  a  measure  of  the  high- 
est importance,  and  requires  immediate  consideration. 

This  Congress  very  gratefully  acknowledges  the  patri- 
otic tender  you  have  been  pleased  to  make  of  your  service, 
in  giving  or  receiving  mutual  assistance,  as  the  circum- 
stances and  situation  of  things  may  require  ;  and  this 
Congress  will  most  cheerfully  co-operate  with  you,  in 
promoting  all  such  measures  as  may  be  best  calculated 
to  advance  the  common  cause. 

In  pursuit  of  this  plan,  this  Congress  have  agreed  to 
raise  forthwith  two  companies  of  artillery,  and  to  pur- 
chase twelve  field  pieces  for  the  defence  of  this  Colony  to 
be  stationed  one  half  in  East  Jersey,  and  the  other  half 
in  West  Jersey.  But  as  it  is  probable,  that  the  officers 
appointed  to  the  command  of  these  companies  may  have 
occasion  for  some  instruction,  to  improve  them  in  the  art 
of  gunnery,  this  Congress  in  such  case  will  rely  upon  your 
friendly  declarations  of  afibrding  such  assistance  as  may 
be  required. 

With  regard  to  the  purchase  of  cannon,  the  Committee 
appointed  by  this  Congress  have  orders  to  procure  them 
on  the  best  terms;  and  this  Committee  we  recommend 
to  your  attention,  if  it  should  be  found  necessary  to  give 
you  any  farther  trouble  in  the  management  of  this  affair. 

This  Coni^ress  have  made  provision  for  paying  a  bounty 
of  one  shilling  per  pound  for  such  merchantable  saltpetre 
as  shall  be  made  in  this  Colony  before  the  first  day  of 
January  next.  But  should  it  be  found  necessary  for  any 
persons  to  acquire  more  practical  knowledge  of  the  art  of 
making  this  necessary  article,  this  Congress  will  in  such 
case  most  gladly  accept  your  obliging  offer,  and  give  a 
recommendation  to  such  persons  accordingly. 

By  order,  &c. 

The 


403 


The  engrossed  ordinance  for  numbering  the  inhabi- 
tants of  this  Colony,  was  read  and  compared. 
Resolved,  That  the  same  do  pass. 

The  engrossed  Ordinance  for  disbanding  minute  men, 
&c.,  was  read  and  compared. 
Resolved,  That  the  same  do  pass. 

This  Congress  have  before  them  a  certified  copy  of  a 
letter  lately  wrote  by  Cortland  Skinner,  Esq.,  Attorney 
General  of  this  Colony,  to  his  brother  Colonel  Skinner, 
in  Great  Britain,  containing  many  sentiments  and  ex- 
pressions prejudicial  to  the  peace  and  welfare  of  the 
United  Colonies. 

And  whereas  by  a  law  of  this  Colony,  passed  the  last 
session  of  General  Assembly,  a  salary  was  provided  for, 
and  granted  to  the  said  Attorney  General,  under  con- 
fidence of  his  friendly  disposition  towards  the  interests 
of  this  Province;  which  confidence  from  the  tenor  of  said 
letter,  no  longer  subsists ;  and  Mr.  Skinner  having  left 
the  Colony,  ceases  to  perform  the  duty  of  his  office.  This 
Congress  therefore,  as  a  dut}'  they  owe  their  constituents, 
request  the  Treasurers  of  this  Colony,  and  each  of  them, 
to  stop  all  payments  of  salary  to  the  said  Cortland  Skin- 
ner, until  this  Congress  shall  give  further  order  thereon. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  engrossed  Ordinance  for  raising  two  companies  of 
artillery,  and  providing  for  their  pay  and  subsistence, 
was  read  and  compared. 

Resolved,  That  the  same  do  pass. 

The  Hon.  Continental  Congress,  having  recommended 
to  this  Congress  to  provide  carriages  for  transporting 
baj^gage  and  military  stores  through  this  Colony.  In 
compliance  wherewith,  it  is 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurers  of  this  Colony,  appointed 

by 


404 


by  Congress,  or  either  of  tliem,  do  deposite  tlie  sum  of 
twenty-five  Pounds  Proclamation  money  in  the  hands  of 
eacli  of  the  Chairmen  of  the  Committees  of  the  Counties 
of  Bergen,  Essex,  Middlesex,  Hunterdon,  and  Sussex, 
taking  proper  receipts  for  the  same,  to  be  at  the  disposal 
of  the  respective  Committees  of  the  Counties  aforesaid,  to 
be  by  them  laid  out  and  applied  in  paying  the  expense 
of  baggage  wagons  employed  in  this  Colony  ;  for  which 
money  the  Chairmen  of  said  respective  Committees  shall 
be  accountable  to  the  Congress  of  this  Colony  or  Com- 
mittee of  Safety,  and  shall  render  true  accounts  of  their 
disbursements,  when,  and  as  often  thereunto  as  required. 

The  engrossed  Ordinance  for  paying  a  bounty  on  salt 
petre,  and  common  salt,  manufactured  in  New  Jersey, 
and  for  purchasing  salt  petre,  was  read  and  compared. 

Resolved,  That  the  same  do  pass. 

The  Ordinance  to  provide  for  the  payment  of  inci- 
dental charges,  was  read  the  second  time,  agreed  to,  and 
ordered  to  be  engrossed.  The  aforesaid  Ordinance  being 
engrossed  was  read  and  compared. 

Resolved,  That  the  same  do  pass. 

Azariah  Dunham  brought  from  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, their  determination  upon  the  application  of  this 
Congress  for  forces  to  be  stationed  in  this  Colony;  which 
being  read,  is  in  the  words  following : 

"  Application  being  made  to  Congress,  by  the  Conven- 
tion of  New  Jersey,  for  two  more  battalions,  and  two 
companies  of  artillery  to  be  raised  in  that  Colony,  and 
the  same  being  referred  to  a  Committee;  on  the  report  of 
the  said  Committee,  the  Congress  did  not  agree  to  the 
raising  any  more  battalions,  or  companies  in  that  Colony." 

Charles  Thompson. 

March  1,  1776. 
On  motion, 

Resolved,  That  a  letter  of  instruction  to  the  Delegates 
of  this  Province  in  Continental  Congress,  be  immedi- 
ately prepared  and  sent  to  them:    A  draught  of  which 

being 


405 


being  produced,  was  read  and  agreed  to,  and  is  as  fol- 
lows : 

Gentlemen  : — You  must  be  sensible,  that  this  Congress 
are  extremely  destitute  of  the  means  of  information,  com- 
pared with  your  body,  and  of  course,  unable  to  point  out 
any  certain  line  of  conduct  for  you  to  pursue :  Your  delib- 
erations must  no  doubt  be  formed  upon  the  measures  of 
the  British  Ministry,  which  are  uncertain,  extraordinary, 
and  new  almost  every  week.  We  therefore  only  request, 
that  you  would  join  in  the  general  voice  of  the  United 
Colonies,  and  pursue  such  measures  as  you  may  judge 
most  beneficial  for  the  public  good  of  all  the  Colonies. 

By  order,  &c. 

This  Congress,  sensible  of  the  extreme  scarcity  of 
blankets  now  wanted  for  Continental  forces,  do  recom- 
mend it  to  all  the  inhabitants  of  this  Colony,  who  may 
have  any  good  blankets  that  they  can  possibly  spare,  to 
dispose  of  the  same  to  the  commissary  on  reasonable 
terms,  for  the  use  of  said  forces. 

Resolved,  That  John  Anderson  of  New  York,  be  em- 
ployed to  print  the  minutes  and  ordinances  of  this 
sitting,  and  that  the  President  sign  an  order  for  the 
same ;  and  that  the  Treasurers  of  this  Colony  or  either 
of  them,  pay  to  the  said  John  Anderson,  so  much  as 
Abraham  Clark  and  Lewis  Ogden,  Esquires,  shall  certify 
that  they-  have  agreed  shall  be  paid  for  printing  the 
same. 

The  Congress  adjourned  to  the  fourth  Monday  in  May 
next,  then  to  meet  at  Burlington,  unless  sooner  called  by 
the  President  or  Vice  President, 


Ordinances 


Ordinances 


Of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New  Jersey, 
Passed  at  the  Sitting  of  Congress,  at  New 
Brunswick,  in  February  and  March,  1776. 


AN  ORDINANCE 

Directing  the  manner  of  signing  the  General  Association, 
by  persons  of  tender  consciences,  and  enforcing  the 
same  ;  and  also  for  amending  the  Militia  Ordinance, 
passed  at  the  last  session  of  this  Congress. 

Although  it  is  not  the  design  of  this  Congress,  to  offer 
violence  to  conscience,  yet  it  is  highly  necessary  that  all 
the  inhabitants  of  this  Colony  should  associate  as  far  as 
their  religious  principles  will  permit;  it  is  therefore  resolved 
and  directed,  That  all  persons,  whose  religious  principles 
would  not  suffer  them  to  bear  arms,  and  to  sign  the  Gen- 
eral Association  of  this  Colony,  recommended  by  Con- 
gress in  its  original  form,  may  be  allowed  to  sign  the 
same,  with  the  following  proviso  : 

"  I  agree  to  the  above  Association,  as  far  as  the  same  is 
consistent  with  my  religious  principles." 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  all  persons, 
who  when  requested  to  sign  the  Association,  with  the 
proviso  aforesaid,  sliall  refuse  so  to  do,  shall  be  disarmed, 
and  give  sufficient  security  for  their  peaceable  and  good 
behaviour,  paying  the  expense  attending  the  same.  And 
the  Committees  of  the  several  Counties  and  Townships, 
are  hereby  required  forthwith  to  tender  the  said  Associa- 
tion 


408 


tion  to  all  who  have  hitherto  refused  or  neglected  to  sign 
it,  and  to  carry  the  above  resolution  into  effect. 

Provided  ahvays,  That  if  any  person  shall  think  him- 
self aggrieved  by  any  sentence  of  a  Township  Committee, 
he  may  on  giving  security  to  prosecute  the  same  to  eflfect, 
and  paying  such  costs  and  charges,  as  the  said  Committee 
shall  adjudge  thereon,  appeal  to  the  Committee  of  the 
County  wherein  such  Township  is  situated;  which 
County  Committee  is  hereby  required,  and  fully  impow- 
ered  to  hear  the  complaint  of  the  appellant,  and  decide 
upon  the  same.  And  if  any  person  shall  think  himself 
aggrieved  by  any  sentence  of  a  County  Committee,  he 
may,  on  giving  security  and  paying  costs  as  aforesaid, 
appeal  therefrom  to  this  Congress. 

Provided  always.  That  the  said  Committees  may  confine 
any  person,  notwithstanding  his  offer  of  security,  who  in 
their  opinion,  may  when  permitted  to  go  at  large,  prove 
dangerous  to  the  common  cause. 

And  whereas  the  late  Militia  ordinance  of  this  Con- 
gress, hath  not  made  any  provision  for  subjecting  such 
of  the  inhabitants  of  this  Colony,  between  the  ages 
of  sixteen  and  fifty  years,  whose  religious  principles  will 
not  suffer  them  to  bear  arms,  to  any  penalty  for  not  at- 
tending, and  obeying  orders  on  the  days  to  be  appointed 
for  general  musters  or  reviews;  and  it  being  higlily 
equitable  and  just,  that  at  this  time  of  public  danger,  all 
such  inhabitants  of  this  Colony  should  bear  an  equal 
proportion  of  the  public  expenses,  as  an  equivalent  for 
an  exemption  from  bearing  arras. 

It  is  therefore  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  there 
shall  be  inflicted  on  all  such  of  the  inhabitants  of  this 
Colony,  between  the  ages  of  sixteen  and  fifty  years,  whose 
religious  principles  will  not  suffer  them  to  bear  arms, 
and  who  shall  not  hereafter  attend  properly  accoutered, 
and  obey  orders,  on  the  terms  to  be  ap{)ointed  for  the 
general  muster  or  review  of  the  regiments  of  Militia  in 
this  Colony,  the  sum  of  ten  Shillings  proclamation  money, 
for  each  and  every  default,  anything  in  the  before  recited 
ordinance  contained  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding;  to 
be  recovered  (and  applied)  by  warrant  of  distress,  in 

manner 


409 


manner  and  form  as  directed  by  the  said  recited  ordi- 
nance. 

Provided  always,  that  the  times  so  as  aforesaid  to  be 
appointed  for  days  of  general  muster  or  review,  do  not 
exceed  three  days  in  a  year,  and  tliat  reasonable  excuses 
shall  be  admitted  for  such  delinquents  non-attendance, 
by  such  persons  who  shall  be  appointed  to  issue  warrants 
of  distress  for  the  recovery  of  such  penalties. 

And  whereas  vacancies  have  and  may  happen  in 
companies  of  militia  in  this  Colony,  by  the  promotion, 
resignation,  death,  removal,  or  other  disability  of  the 
captain  or  other  officers  of  such  companies ;  for  supplying 
which  vacancies, 

It  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  each  and  every 
company,  where  such  vacancy  have  or  may  happen,  shall 
within  ten  days  after  such  vacancy  happens  or  such  com- 
pany shall  have  notice  of  this  resolve,  assemble  and  elect 
proper  persons,  for  supplying  such  vacancy,  and  make 
return  thereof  to  the  Committee  of  the  Township  to 
which  they  belong,  who  are  to  report  the  same  to  this 
Congress  or  Committee  of  Safety,  in  order  that  commis- 
sions may  issue:  And  in  case  such  company  shall  neg- 
lect to  elect  officers  within  the  time  above  limited,  or  in 
case  any  person  or  persons  so  elected,  shall  neglect  to 
make  the  aforesaid  return,  at  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Committee  thereafter:  that  then  and  in  such  case,  tiie 
said  Committee  shall  name  and  appoint  proper  persons 
to  be  commissioned  as  aforesaid,  or  otherwise  such  Com- 
mittee, upon  the  neglect  of  the  said  company  or  compa- 
nies to  elect  persons  to  be  commissioned  us  aforesaid, 
may,  if  they  think  it  advisable,  to  dissolve  such  companv, 
and  incorporating  the  persons  composing  the  same,  into 
other  companies  contiguous  thereto;  in  which  companies 
they  shall  be  enrolled  and  bear  arms  under  the  fines  and 
penalties,  in  the  ordinance,  directed  for  non-attendance. 

And  whereas  by  the  said  former  ordinance,  no  dis- 
tinction is  made  between  those  who  sign  the  muster  rolls, 
and  those  who  do  not  sign  the  same:  It  is  hereby  declared, 
that  no  distinction  is  intended  ;  but,  that  all  those  who 
refuse  to  sign  such  muster  roll,  within  the  ages  mentioned 
(except  such  persons  whose  religious  principles  will  not 

suffer 


410 


suffer  them  to  bear  arms,)  shall  be  enrolled,  and  be  sub- 
ject to  the  same  command,  and  liable  to  the  same  fines 
and  forf(  itures  for  neglect  of  duty,  as  those  are  who  sign 
such  muster  roll. 


AN  ORDINANCE 

For  appointing  Barrack  Masters  in  this  Province,  and 
making  provision  for  defraying  the  expence  of  repair- 
ing said  barracks. 

Whereas,  the  barracks  heretofore  erected  in  this 
Colon}',  have  for  some  time  past  been  neglected,  and  by 
that  means  much  out  of  repair,  which  the  circumstances 
of  the  present  times  require  to  be  immediately  put  in 
order  for  the  reception  of  such  of  the  Continental  forces 
as  have  been,  or  may  be  raised  in  this  Colony,  or  quar- 
tered in  the  same;  for  which  purpose,  and  that  said  bar- 
racks, may  in  future  be  taken  proper  care  of,  and  suitably 
provided  with  necessary  furniture : 

It  is  Resolved,  That  the  following  persons  be,  and  are 
hereby  appointed  Barrack  Masters,  viz:  Isaac  Woodruff 
and  Edward  Thomas,  Esqrs.,  for  the  barracks  in  Eliza- 
bethtown  ;  Samuel  Serjeant  and  Johnathan  Deare,  Esqrs., 
for  the  barracks  in  Perth  Amboy  ;  Hendrick  Fisher  and 
John  Scliurman,  Esqrs.,  for  the  barracks  in  New  Bruns- 
wick ;  Alexander  Chambers  and  William  Tucker,  Esqrs., 
for  the  barracks  in  Trenton  ;  and  Thomas  Rodman  and 
Samuel  Howe,  Esqrs.,  for  the  barracks  in  Burlington. 
Which  said  Barrack  Masters  in  each  respective  towns 
before  named,  are  hereby  authorized  and  empowered,  to 
take  the  care  and  charge  of  the  barracks  over  which  they 
are  above  particularly  appointed,  and  cause  the  same  to 
be  put  in  proper  repair,  and  provided  with  suitable  furni- 
ture for  the  reception  of  such  Continental,  or  Provincial 
troops,  as  may  occasionally  be  quartered  therein;  pro- 
vided such  barrack  furniture  can  be  procured  on  reason- 
able 


411 


nble  terms.  And  also,  that  they  respectively  settle  and 
discharge  the  expense  of  all  such  repairs  as  have  been 
lately  made,  or  are  now  making  on  the  barracks,  to  the 
care  of  which  they  are  particularly  appointed.  And  the 
Treasurers  of  this  Colony  appointed  by  Congress,  or 
either  of  them,  are  required  to  pay  to  the  said  respective 
Barrack  Masters,  or  either  of  them,  out  of  the  money  to 
be  made  current  by  an  ordinance  of  this  Congress,  all 
such  sum,  and  suras  of  money,  as  they  or  either  of  them 
may  find  necessary  for  the  purposes  aforesaid,  not  exceed- 
ing the  sum  of  two  hundred  Pounds  proclamation  money 
for  each  of  said  barracks  in  one  year.  And  the  said  Trea- 
surers shall  take  proper  receipts  for  the  money  so  by  them 
or  either  of  them  paid  out  as  aforesaid  ;  which  receipts 
when  laid  before  a  Congress  of  this  Province,  or  persons 
properly  autliorized  thereto,  shall  discharge  the  said 
Treasurers,  their  heirs,  executors  and  administrators,  for 
all  such  sums. by  them,  or  either  of  them,  paid  out  as 
aforesaid.  And  the  said  Barrack  Masters  and  each  of 
them,  are  hereby  required  to  render  a  true  account,  to 
this  or  a  future  Congress,  of  all  monies  by  them  received 
and  expended,  pursuant  to  the  direction  of  this  ordinance, 
who  shall  be  allowed  a  reasonable  compensation  for  their 
time  and  trouble  in  executing  the  aforesaid  trust. 


AN  ORDINANCE 

For  exempting  persons  who  enlist  in  the  service  of  the 
United  Colonies  from  arrest. 

Whereas,  the  speedy  and  effectual  recruiting  of  the 
forces  for  the  defence  of  the  United  Colonies  is,  in  the 
present  situation  of  affairs,  of  great  importance  to  the 
security  and  defence  of  the  said  Colonies. 

And  whereas  the  subjecting  soldiers  to  arrest  fcr  small 
debts,  tends  greatly  to  retard  and  obstruct  the  service :  it 
is  therefore  ordered  and  directed  by  this  Congress,  that 

any 


412 


any  person,  who  shall  enlist  and  enter  himself  as  a  sol- 
dier in  any  of  the  companies  of  the  Continental  forces, 
and  dotli  not  owe  more  than  thirty-five  dollars  to  any 
one  creditor,  or  upwards  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  dol- 
lars in  the  whole  to  all  his  creditors;  then  the  person  of 
the  enlisted  shall  be  free  from  all  arrests  in  civil  actions, 
during  the  time  of  his  service  as  aforesaid.  And  those 
who  are  in  custody,  either  on  mesne  processor  execution, 
and  do  not  owe  as  aforesaid,  shall  be  discharged  under 
the  hands  and  seals  of  any  of  the  Judges  of  the  County 
where  any  such  person  or  persons  shall  be  so  imprisoned : 
and  the  goods  and  effects  of  all  such  debtors  shall  be 
free  from  attachments,  executions,  and  other  legal  pro- 
cess, during  the  aforesaid  service.  Provided  always  that 
such  goods  and  effects  shall  not  be  removed  out  of  the 
city,  town  or  precinct,  where  the  persons  enlisted  resided 
when  they  did  enlist,  during  the  time  limited  as  afore- 
said. And  upon  full  proof  of  any  attempt  to  remove 
the  said  goods  and  effects  out  of  the  city,  town  or  pre- 
cinct as  aforesaid,  then  the  said  goods  and  effects  shall 
be  liable  to  the  same  process,  as  the  laws  have  already 
provided  for;  and  in  case  the  said  person  or  persons  so 
enlisted,  shall  or  do  after  the  publication  of  this  ordi- 
nance, or  after  the  time  of  such  enlisting,  by  any  deed  or 
deeds,  power  or  powers  of  attorney,  make  sale  of,  or  em- 
power others  in  his  or  their  absence,  or  during  the  time 
so  limited  as  aforesaid,  make  sale  of  his  or  their  goods 
and  chattels,  lands  and  tenements,  to  any  person  or  per- 
sons whatsoever,  whereby  the  creditor  or  creditors  of 
such  person  or  persons  so  enlisting  as  aforesaid,  shall  or 
may  be  defrauded  or  deprived  of  their  just  debts,  all  and 
every  such  deed  or  deeds,  and  sales  made  by  any  such 
person  or  persons,  or  by  virtue  of  his  or  their  power  or 
powers  of  attorney,  as  aforesaid,  shall  be  void  and  of 
none  effect;  and  such  goods  and  chattels,  lands  and  tene- 
ments, shall  nevertheless  be  liable  to  be  proceeded  against 
by  attachment,  or  any  other  legal  process,  at  the  suit  of 
any  creditor  or  creditors  of  such  person  or  persons,  any 
thing  in  this  ordinance  to  the  contrary  thereof  in  any- 
wise notwithstanding. 


An 


413 


AN  ORDINANCE 

For  striking  the  sum  of  fifty  thousand  Pounds,  five  Shil- 
lings, in  bills  of  credit,  for  the  purposes  therein  men- 
tioned, and  directing  the  manner  of  sinking  the  same. 

Whereas  it  is  prudent,  not  only  to  make  provision 
for  putting  the  Province  into  such  state  of  defence,  as 
the  present  situation  thereof  s^ems  to  require;  but  also, 
to  have  such  sum  of  money  in  the  Treasury  as  may  prob- 
ably be  sufficient  to  answer  future  exigencies  and  con- 
tingent charges.  And  whereas  the  sum  of  thirty  thou- 
sand Pounds,  directed  to  be  issued  by  an  ordinance 
passed  at  the  last  sitting  of  this  Congress,  hath  not  as  yet 
been  printed;  and  as  the  same  may  not  be  sufficient  to 
answer  the  purposes  aforesaid  :  It  is  therefore  Resolved, 
Tliat  the  said  ordinance  be  null,  void,  and  vacated  to  all 
intents  and  purposes  whatsoever  ;  and  in  lieu  thereof,  it 
is  resolved,  ordained  and  directed,  that  the  sum  of  fifty 
thousand  Pounds,  five  Shillings,  in  bills  of  credit  of  this 
Province,  be,  as  soon  as  possible,  prepared,  printed  and 
made  as  follows,  viz. :  Nine  thousand  five  hundred  bills, 
each  of  the  value  of  three  Pounds:  Ten  thousand  bills 
each  of  the  value  of  one  Pound  ten  Shillings  :  six  thou- 
sand six  hundred  and  sixty-seven  bills,  each  of  the  value 
of  fifteen  Shillings;  and  five  thousand  bills,  each  of  the 
value  of  six  Shillings ;  which  bills  shall  be  in  the  form 
following,  to  wit. : 

This  Bill,  by  an  Ordinance  of  the  Provincial  Congress, 
shall  pass  current  in  all  payments  within  the  Colony  of 
New  Jersey,  for  Proclamation  money. 

Dated  the  twentieth  day  of  February,  1776. 

And  shall  be  impressed  with  such  devices  as  the  in- 
spectors of  the  press,  herein  after  appointed  shall  direct ; 
and,  when  printed,  shall  be  delivered  to  Hendrick  Fisher, 
and  Azariah  Dunham,  Esquires,  of  the  Eastern  Division, 
and  to  John  Hart  and  Samuel  Howe,  Esquires,  of  the 

Western 


414 


Western  division,  four  of  the  signers  thereof,  in  equal 
moities;  one  moiety  to  be  signed  by  the  Treasurer  and 
signers  of  the  Eastern  Division ;  and  the  other  moiety, 
by  the  Treasurer  and  signers  of  the  Western  Division. 
And  tlie  said  signers  are  hereby  authorized  and  required, 
upon  delivery  of  the  said  bills  by  the  printer  thereof,  to 
administer  to  him,  and  he  is  hereby  directed  and  re- 
quired to  take  an  oath  or  affirmation,  in  the  following 
words : 

I,  A.  B.,  do  declare,  that  from  the  time  the  letters  were 
set,  and  fit  to  be  put  into  the  press,  for  the  printing  the 
bills  of  credit  now  by  me  delivered,  until  the  same  bills 
•were  printed,  and  the  letters  unset  and  put  into  the  boxes 
again,  I  went  at  no  time  out  of  the  room  in  which  the 
said  letters  were,  without  locking  them  up,  so  that  they 
could  not  be  come  at  without  violence,  a  false  key,  or 
ether  art  then  unknown  to  me;  and  therefore,  to  the  best 
of  my  knowledge,  no  copies  were  printed  off  but  in  my 
presence;  and  that  all  tlie  blotters  and  other  papers 
whatsoever  printed  by  the  said  letter,  while  set  for  print- 
ing the  said  bills,  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge,  are  here 
delivered,  together  with  the  stamps  for  the  indents  and 
devices ;  and  that  I  have  not  at  any  time  been  privy  or 
consenting  to  any  other  or  more  bills  being  struck  than 
I  now  deliver  ;  and  that  in  all  things  relating  to  this 
affair,  I  have  demeaned  myself  according  to  the  true  intent 
and  meaning  of  the  ordinance,  by  virtue  whereof  this 
money  is  printed,  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge  and  under- 
standing. 

Which  printer,  at  the  time  he  is  ordered  to  print  the 
said  bill,  shall  have  a  copy  of  this  oath  or  affirmation, 
that  he  may  govern  hiniself  accordingly.  Provided 
always,  that  if  any  accident  has  happened,  he  may  have 
the  liberty  of  making  an  exception  thereof  in  his  oath 
or  affirmation,  he  declaring  fully  how  it  was. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  bills 
made  current  by  this  ordinance,  shall  be  nearly  the  size 
and  likeness  of  the  bills  now  current  in  this  Colony,  and 
shall  be  signed  and  numbered  by  the  respective  persons 

herein 


415 


hereiM  before  appointed  signers  thereof;  and  in  case  of 
their,  or  either  of  their  deaths  or  other  disability,  then 
Joseph  Hugg,  of  the  the  Western  Division,  and  John 
Covenhoven  of  the  Eastern  Division,  are  hereby  ap- 
pointed signers  of  said  bills. 

And,  in  order  that  the  said  bills  may  be  numbered  and 
signed  with,  the  less  charge  and  risk,  and  with  the  most 
ease  and  expedition,  the  said  signers  are  to  observe  the 
directions  following,  to  wit.  First,  before  the  said  signers 
do  receive  any  of  tlie  said  bills,  they  shall  each  of  them 
take  an  oath  or,  affirmation  if  Quakers,  before  a  justice 
of  the  peace,  for  the  true  signing  of  the  said  bills  of 
credit ;  and  that  they  will  sign  no  more,  or  no  other  bills, 
than  by  this  ordinance  is  directed  ;  and  that,  to  the  best 
of  their  skill,  they  will  perform  what  by  this  ordinance, 
they  are  enjoined  as  their  duty.  A  certificate  of  which 
oath  or  affirmation,  is  to  be  signed  by  the  Justice,  and  by 
the  deponents  and  affirmants,  to  be  delivered  to  the 
Treasurers  with  the  bills  when  signed  by  them. 

Secondly,  on  receiving  the  bills  from  the  printer,  the 
said  signers  shall  burn  and  destroy  the  blotters,  and  they 
shall  divide  the  fair  bills  so  received  into  two  equal  parts, 
and  to  avoid  confusion,  shall  agree  betwixt  themselves 
how  the  parts  of  each  shall  be  numbered  ;  and  the  signers 
for  the  Eastern  Division,  shall  take  the  stamps  for  the 
escutcheons,  and  the  signers  for  the  Western  Division, 
shall  take  the  starops  for  the  ornaments. 

Thirdly,  each  of  the  signers  may  then  carry  his  part 
to  his  own  house,  there  to  be  numbered  and  signed  by- 
him  with  all  possible  expedition  ;  which,  or  such  part  as 
is  then  necessary,  being  done,  they  shall  meet  at  a  day 
and  place  by  them  to  be  appointed,  and  agreed  on,  and 
each  deliver  the  part  numbered  and  signed  by  him  to 
the  other,  in  order  for  him  to  sign  the  same;  and  they 
shall  then  togetiier  burn  and  destroy  the  bills,  if  any  be, 
over  and  above  the  number  hereby  appointed  to  be 
issued,  and  in  like  manner  shall  do  from  time  to  time, 
until  all  are  signed  and  exchanged. 

Fourthly,  each  of  the  said  signers  may  then  carry  the 
part  of  the  bills  aforesaid,  so  delivered  to  them  by  the 
other  to  their  respective  houses,  to  be  signed  with  all 

possible 


416 


possible  expedition  ;  and  -when  signed,  in  any  sums,  from 
time  to  time  to  be  delivered  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Divi- 
sion where  the  signers  live,  and  the  stamps  for  the  escut- 
cheons and  ornaments,  taking  receipts  of  the  respective 
Treasurers,  for  the  sums  so  delivered;  which,  when  pro- 
duced, shall  be  sufficient  to  discharge  the  said  signers  re- 
spectively, theii*  heirs,  executors  and  administrators,  from 
such  parts  of  the  said  bills  as  the  receipts  do  express. 

Ai}d  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  said 
Treasurers  shall,  respectively,  sign  the  said  bills  to  them 
delivered  ;  and  under  the  obligation  of  their  oaths  or 
affirmations,  for  the  due  execution  of  their  offices,  pay 
them  out  accordingly,  as  they  shall  be  directed,  by  this 
or  any  future  order  of  the  Provincial  Congress,  or  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  of  this  Colony,  and  no  otherwise. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  bills  of 
credit  to  be  made  and  issued  by  virtue  of  this  ordinance, 
shall  pass  current,  until  the  twenty-first  day  of  December, 
which  will  be  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  ninety-one,  and  shall  be  received  in  the  said 
treasuries,  until  the  expiration  of  six  months  after  the 
time  last  mentioned. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  Samuel 
Tucker,  Hendrick  Fisher,  Richard  Smith,  John  Pope, 
and  James  Starling,  Esquires,  or  any  two  of  them,  are 
hereby  authorized  and  directed  to  agree  with  the  printer 
for  the  price  to  be  paid  him  for  printing  the  bills  accord- 
ing to  the  directions  of  this  ordinance,  and  shall  be,  and 
are  hereby  appointed  inspectors  of  the  press,  to  take  care 
that  the  printer  of  the  bills  of  credit  doth  duly  perform 
the  duty  hereby  enjoined  him. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  there  shall 
be  paid  to  the  printer  of  the  said  bills  of  credit,  such  sum 
or  sums  of  money  for  printing  them,  as  the  said  inspec- 
tors, or  any  two  of  them,  shall  certify  under  their  hands, 
they  had  agreed  to  pay  him  for  that  service;  and  there 
shall  be  paid  to  the  treasurers,  inspectors  and  signers, 
such  reward  for  their  trouble,  as  the  Congress  or  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  for  this  Colony,  shall  deem  reasonable. 
All  which  sums  of  money,  shall  be  paid  by  the  Treasur- 
ers, or  either  of  them,  out  of  the  money  made  current  by 

virtue 


1 


417 

virtue  of  this  ordinance,  and  shall  take  proper  receipts 
for  the  same;  wliich  receipts,  when  laid  before,  and  ap- 
proved by  tlie  Provincial  Congress,  or  Committee  of 
Safet)',  shall  discharge  the  said  Treasurers,  their  heirs, 
executors  and  administrators,  for  all  such  sums  by  them 
paid  pursuant  to  this  ordinance. 

And  it  IS  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  said 
sum  of  fifty  thousand  Pounds,  five  Shillings,  when  printed 
and  signed  as  aforesaid,  shall  be  delivered,  one  half  thereof 
to  the  Treasurer  appointed  by  the  Congress  of  New  Jer- 
sey, for  the  Eastern  Division,  and  the  other  half  to  the 
Treasurer  appointed  as  aforesaid,  for  the  Western  Divi- 
sion of  this  Colon}' ;  and  each  of  the  said  Treasurers  is 
hereby  directed  immediately  after  receiving  said  bills  to 
sign  as  many  of  them  as  shall  amount  unto  the  sum  of 
one  thousand  Pounds;  and  the  said  Treasurers  shall  re- 
spectively from  time  to  time  proceed  to  sign  such  further 
part  of  the  said  sum  of  fifty  thousand  Pounds,  five  Shil- 
lings, as  shall  be  sufficient  to  answer  the  public  uses  of 
this  Colony,  ready  to  be  issued  as  aforesaid.  Provided, 
that  not  more  than  one  thousand  Pounds  shall,  after  the 
issuing  the  above  sums,  be,  at  any  one  time,  remaining 
in  the  hands  of  either  of  said  Treasurers,  signed  by  them 
as  aforesaid. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  Messrs. 
William  Tucker,  Abraham  Hunt,  Joseph  Ellis,  and 
Alexander  Chambers,  be,  and  they  are  hereby  appointed 
Commissioners  for  the  Western  Division  ;  and  that  Hen- 
drick  Fisher,  Azariah  Dunham,  Abraham  Clark,  and 
Caleb  Camp,  be,  and  they  are  hereby  appointed  Commis- 
sioners for  the  Eastern  Division  of  this  Colony;  which 
said  Commissioners  or  the  major  part  of  them,  are  hereby 
authorized  and  directed  to  receive  of  the  Treasurers  of 
this  Colony  for  the  time  being,  appointed  by  this  Con- 
gress, or  either  of  them,  all  such  sum  or  sums  of  money 
as  they  shall,  from  time  to  time,  find  necessary  to  expend 
for  the  use  of  this  Colony,  pursuant  to  the  resolutions 
hereinafter  mentioned. 

Ayid  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  said 
Commissioners  be,  and  they  are  hereby  authorized  and 
directed,  to  contract  with  artificers  for,  or  otherwise  pur- 
chase, 

28 


418 


chase,  three  thousand  stand  of  arms,  on  the  most  reason- 
able terms  they  possibly  can ;  and  also  to  purchase  ten 
tons  of  gunpowder,  twenty  tons  of  lead,  one  thousand 
cartouch  boxes,  at  any  price,  not  exceeding  nine  Shil- 
lings each  ;  a  quantity  of  flints,  brushes,  priming  wire, 
and  cartridge  paper,  not  exceeding  one  hundred  Pounds 
in  value;  two  chests  of  medicine,  with  chirurgical  instru- 
ments, not  exceeding  three  hundred  Pounds  in  value; 
four  hundred  tents,  with  camp  equipage  not  exceeding 
one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  seventy  Pounds  in 
value  ;  two  thousand  blankets,  not  exceeding  one  thou- 
sand five  hundred  Pounds  in  value ;  a  number  of  axes, 
spades,  and  other  entrenching  tools,  not  exceeding  three 
hundred  Pounds  in  value;  and  a  train  of  artillery,  con- 
sisting of  twelve  field  pieces,  of  such  sizes  as  the  said 
Commissioners  shall  judge  most  advantageous  for  the 
defence  of  the  Province,  together  with  the  necessary  car- 
riages, ball,  shot,  and  equipments. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  said 
Commissioners  do  supply  the  troops  of  this  Colony,  when 
called  to  action  in  this  or  any  of  the  neighboring  Colo- 
nies, with  one  month's  subsistence,  at  one  Shilling  per 
day  per  man,  or  provisions  to  that  amount,  if  necessary  : 
Provided,  that  the  expense  of  such  subsistence  doth  not 
exceed  the  sum  of  one  thousand  four  hundred  Pounds  in 
value,  and  one  month's  pay  for  the  troops  of  this  Colony, 
when  called  into  actual  service :  Provided,  that  the  Con- 
tinental Congress  do  not  make  provision  for  the  same ; 
and  provided  also,  that  the  pay  of  such  troops,  doth  not 
exceed  the  sum  of  four  thousand  Pounds  in  value. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  Treas- 
urers of  this  Colony  be,  and  they  are  hereby  enjoined  to 
pay  to  the  said  Commissioners,  or  to  any  three  of  them, 
of  the  Eastern,  or  any  three  of  the  Western  Division,  or 
their  orders  respectively  all  such  sum  or  sums  of  money 
as  they  may  find  necessary  to  expend  for  the  purposes 
aforesaid  :  Provided  always,  that  no  three  Commission- 
ers of  either  division,  shall  draw  out  of  the  Treasury,  any 
greater  sum  than  shall  be  sufficient  for  the  purchasing 
and  providing  one  half  of  the  articles,  the  said  Commis- 
sioners are  above  authorized  to  purchase  and  provide, 

unless 


419 


unless  a  major  part  of  the  said  Commissioners  give  them 
joint  orders  tlierefor :  And  the  receiptor  receipts  from 
the  said  Commissioners  respective!}'  for  monies  received 
by  them  in  manner  above  directed,  sliall  be  sufficient 
vouchors,  and  discharges  to  the  said  Treasurers,  or  either 
of  them,  their  executors  and  administrators,  for  all  monies 
by  them  paid  pursuant  to  this  ordinance. 

And  in  order  that  the  said  sum  of  fifty  thousand 
Pounds  five  Shillings,  may  be  duly  sunk,  and  the  credit 
of  the  same  thereby  effectually  secured ;  it  is  resolved, 
that  the  sum  of  ten  thousand  Pounds  one  Shilling, 
be  levied  and  paid  into  the  Treasury  of  this  Colony,  on 
the  twenty-first  day  of  December,  in  each  and  every  of 
the  years  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-seven; 
one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty -eight ;  one  thou- 
sand seven  hundred  and  eighty-nine;  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  ninety  ;  and  one  thousand  seven  hun- 
dred and  ninety-one:  in  order  that  the  same  may  be  in- 
spected, cancelled,  burnt  and  destroyed  by  the  Congress  of 
this  Colony,  or,  in  their  recess,  the  Committee  of  Safety. 

And  that  said  sum  of  ten  thousand  Pounds,  one  Shil- 
ling, may  be  raised  on  the  several  inhabitants  of  this 
Colony  in  the  most  equitable  manner,  in  each  of  the 
aforesaid  years ;  it  is  resolved,  that  the  same  be  raised  in 
manner  following: 

All  householders,  the  tax  of  whose  rateable  estate,  ex- 
clusive of  certainties,  does  not  amount  to  six  Shillings, 
shall  be  rated  at  the  discretion  of  the  assessors,  not  under 
two  Shillings,  nor  above  thirty  Shillings. 

All  merchants  and  shopkeepers,  shall  be  rated  at  the 
discretion  of  the  assessors,  not  under  five  Shillings,  nor 
above  twenty  Shillings  for  the  same. 

Every  ferry  shall  be  rated  at  the  discretion  of  the 
assessors,  not  under  five  Shillings,  nor  above  five  Pounds.. 

Every  coasting  sloop,  schooner,  shallop,  flat,  passage 
boat,  pilot  boat,  wood  boat,  and  pettiauger,  shall  be  rated 
at  the  discretion  of  the  assessors,  in  proportion  to  their 
burden  and  business,  not  under  three  Shillings,  nor 
above  thirty  Sliillings. 

Every  single  man,  who  works  for  hire,  and  keeps  a 

horse 


420 


liorse,  mare  or  gelding,  sliall  be  rated,  not  under  four 
Shillings,  nor  above  ten  Shillings. 

Every  single  man  who  works  for  hire,  and  does  not 
keep  a  horse,  mare,  or  gelding,  shall  be  rated,  not  under 
two  Shillings,  nor  above  six  Shillings. 

Provided  always,  That  if  any  single  man,  who  works 
for  hire,  shall  have  any  estate  herein  after  made  rate- 
able, the  tax  of  which  would  amount  to  more  than  he  is 
above  directed  to  be  rated  at,  he  shall  be  rated  for  such 
estate  only. 

Every  bought  servant  and  slave,  being  male,  of  six- 
teen years  old  and  upwards  (except  such  slaves  as  are  not 
able  to  work)  shall  be  rated  the  sum  of  two  Shillings. 

Every  riding  chair  or  kittereen,  shall  be  rated  the  sum 
of  one  Shilling. 

Every  tw^o  horse  chaise  or  curricle,  shall  be  rated  the 
sum  of  two  Shillings. 

Every  four  wheel  chaise  or  phreton,  shall  be  rated  the 
sum  of  five  Shillings. 

Every  coach  or  chariot,  shall  be  rated  the  sum  of  nine 
Shillings. 

Every  waggon,  the  body  of  which  hangeth  on  springs, 
shall  be  rated  the  sum  of  two  Shillings. 

All  cattle,  horses,  mares,  and  geldings,  of  two  years 
old  and  upwards,  shall  be  estimated  at  eight  Shillings 
each  head. 

And  the  assessors  in  each  respective  Township  or  dis- 
trict, shall,  as  nearly  as  may  be,  ascertain  the  real  value 
of  all  profitable  tracts  of  land,  held  by  deed,  patent  or 
survey,  including  all  the  tenements,  buildings,  and  other 
improvements  thereon;  and,  in  making  the  assessments 
thereof,  the  same  shall  be  estimated  at  one-twentieth  part 
of  the  value  ascertained  as  aforesaid. 

All  unimproved  tracts  of  land,  held  by  deed,  patent, 
or  survey,  shall  be  valued  and  estimated  as  aforesaid,  at 
the  one-fortieth  part  of  the  real  value  thereof. 

All  mortgages,  bonds,  bills  and  notes  at  interest,  which 
shall  be  deemed  recoverable  and  of  value,  and  due  to 
the  inhabitants  of  this  Colony,  shall  be  valued  at  one- 
twentieh  part  of  the  principal  thereof.  Provided  always, 
that  if  any  inhabitant  of  this  Colony,  shall  pay  interest 

for 


421 


for  a  part  or  the  whole  of  the  sum  he  receives  interest 
for,  tlien,  and  in  such  case,  he  shall  not  be  rated  or 
assessed  lor  any  larger  sum  than  the  sum  he  receives 
interest  for  exceeds  the  sum  he  pa3's  interest  for. 

Every  hawker  or  peddler,  travelling  on  foot,  and  ex- 
posing goods  to  sale  (except  such  goods  as  are  manufac- 
tured in  the  United  Colonies)  before  he  or  she  exposes 
any  such  goods  to  sale,  shall,  over  and  above  all  other 
taxes,  pay  to  the  County  Collector,  who  shall  give  a  cer- 
tificate therefor,  the  sura  of  six  Shillings  in  each  County, 
wherein  the  same  are  exposed  to  sale. 

Every  hawker  or  pedlar,  travelling  with  a  horse  or 
carriage,  and  exposing  goods  to  sale  as  aforesaid,  shall  in 
like  manner,  pay  tlie  sum  of  twelve  Shillings. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  the  said  ten  thousand 
Pounds,  one  Shilling,  directed  to  be  assessed  in  each  and 
every  of  the  five  years  before  mentioned,  shall  be  col- 
lected and  paid  into  the  treasury  on  or  before  the  said 
twenty-first  day  of  December,  in  each  of  the  said  years, 
in  the  proportions  following,  viz  : 

By  the  County  of  Bergen,  the  sum  of  six  hundred  and 
sixty-four  Pounds,  eight  Shillings  and  two  Pence. 

By  the  County  of  Essex,  the  sum  of  seven  hundred  and 
forty-twoPounds,  eighteen  Shillings  and  two  Pence. 

By  the  County  of  Middlesex,  the  sum  of  eight  hundred 
and  seventy-two  Pounds,  six  Shillings  and  eight  Pence. 

By  the  County  of  Somerset,  the  sum  of  nine  hundred 
and  four  Pounds,  two  Shillings  and  two  Pence. 

By  the  Count}'^  of  Monmouth,  the  sum  of  one  thousand 
and  sixty-nine  Pounds,  two  Shillings  and  eight  Pence. 

By  the  County  of  Morris,  the  sum  of  seven  hundred 
and  twenty-three  Pounds,  eight  Shillings  and  two  Pence. 

By  the  County  of  Sussex,  the  sum  of  five  hundred  and 
ninety-three  Pounds,  five  Shillings  and  four  Pence. 

By  the  County  of  Hunterdon,  the  sum  of  one  thousand 
three  hundred  and  sixty-three  Pounds,  sixteen  Shillings 
and  eight  Pence. 

By  the  County  of  Burlington,  the  sum  of  one  thousand 
and  seventy-one  Pounds,  thirteen  Shillings  and  four 
Pence. 

By 


422 


By  the  County  of  Gloucester,  the  sum  of  seven  hun- 
dred and  sixty-three  Pounds,  two  Shillings  and  eight 
Pence. 

By  the  County  of  Salem,  the  sum  of  six  hundred  and 
seventy-nine  Pounds,  twelve  Shillings  and  two  Pence. 

By  the  County  of  Cumberland,  the  sura  of  three  hun- 
dred and  eighty-five  Pounds,  six  Shillings  and  eight 
Pence. 

By  the  County  of  Cape  May,  the  sum  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty-six  Pounds,  eighteen  Shillings  and  two  Pence. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  the  inhabitants  of  this 
Colony,  at  their  town  meetings  to  be  held  in  each  Town- 
ship in  this  Colony,  on  the  second  Tuesday  in  March 
annually,  in  each  of  the  years  the  said  monies  are  di- 
rected to  be  levied,  shall  elect  proper-  persons  to  assess 
and  collect  the  aforesaid  taxes;  and  in  case  the  said 
inhabitants  shall  neglect  to  choose  assessors  and  collect- 
ors, as  aforesaid,  or,  in  case  any  such  so  chosen,  shall  de- 
cease or  remove  out  of  the  Township  in  wMiich  he  or  they 
were  chosen,  or  be  otherwise  disabled  from  performing 
the  duties  enjoined  by  this  ordinance,  that  then  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  Township  where  such  neglect,  removal,  or 
disability  may  happen,  shall  elect  others  to  supply  such 
vacancy ;  and  if  any  person  chosen  assessor  or  collector 
as  aforesaid,  shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  execute  the  same, 
iigreeable  to  the  directions  of  this  ordinance,  every  per- 
son so  neglecting  or  refusing,  shall  forfeit  and  pay  to  the 
Committee  of  the  Township  where  he  resides  for  the  use 
of  such  Township,  the  sum  of  five  Pounds,  for  every  such 
neglect  or  refusal. 

And  it  is  fiirtlier  Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  each 
respective  County  in  this  Colony,  shall  annually  choose 
a  county  collector,  for  receiving  the  aforesaid  quotas,  and 
paying  the  same  into  the  Treasury.  And  upon  such 
county  collectors  refusing  or  neglecting  so  to  do,  shall 
forfeit  and  pay  to  such  County  Committee  for  every  such 
neglect  or  refusal,  the  sum  of  ten  Pounds,  for  the  use  of 
such  County. 

Aiid  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  each  of  the  assessors 
chosen  as  aforesaid,  shall,  before  they  do  anything  in 
pursuance  of  this  ordinance,  take  the  following  oath  or 
affirmation: 

"  That 


423 


"That  you  will  trul}'  value  and  assess  the  rateable 
estates  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Townsliip  or  Precinct 
of  pursuant  to  the  directions  of  this 

ordinance;  and  also  assist  the  other  assessors  in  settling 
the  quotas,  according  to  the  best  of  your  skill  and  under- 
standing." 

And  in  order  that  the  several  and  respective  sums 
aforesaid,  may  be  equitably  assessed  and  levied  ;  it  is  fur- 
ther resolved,  that  all  and  every  of  the  inhabitants  or 
householders  of  each  County  in  this  Colony,  on  applica- 
tion to  them  made  by  the  assessors  of  the  respective 
towns  or  districts,  ch  osen  fa  s  aforesaid,  shall  forthwith 
give  a  true  account  of  their  names,  and  estates,  real  and 
personal,  made  rateable  by  this  ordinance,  and  where 
the  same  doth  lie,  which  the  assessors  shall  take  down  in 
writing,  with  the  value  thereof,  in  order  to  be  enabled 
thereby  to  make  just  and  true  assessments,  and  to  render 
duplicates  thereof  to  the  town  or  district  collectors  chosen 
as  aforesaid,  by  tiie  times  hereinafter  prescribed  for  that 
purpose.  And  in  case  any  of  the  inhabitants  or  house- 
holders, shall  at  any  time  refuse  to  render  a  true  account 
of  their  rateable  estate,  as  aforesaid,  every  such  person  so 
refusing,  shall  forfeit  tlie  sum  of  three  Pounds,  and  be 
rated  double  the  sum  the  said  assessors  in  their  dis- 
cretion, may  suppose  such  person  so  refusing,  might 
otherwise  in  proportion  to  his  estate,  have  been  rated  at. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  in  each  of  the  years  the 
said  ten  thousand  Pounds,  one  Shilling,  is  before  directed 
to  be  assessed,  levied  and  collected,  the  assessors  of  each 
town,  or  district,  shall  on  or  before  the  tenth  day  of 
August,  take  an  exact  account  of  each  person's  rateable 
estates,  made  rateable  aforesaid,  within  their  respective 
districts;  and  on  the  first  Monday  in  September  in  each 
of  the  said  years,  the  said  assessors  of  every  town  and. 
district  in  each  County  in  this  Colony,  shall  meet  to- 
gether at  such  places  in  each  County  as  are  appointed 
by  the  laws  of  this  Colony  for  the  like  purposes,  and 
there  settle  and  adjust  the  quota  each  of  the  Townships 
or  districts  in  such  County  are  to  pay  that  year,  to  make 
up  the  quota  hereinbefore  ascertained  for  such  County: 

Which 


424 


Which  quota  of  each  Township  being  so  fixed  and  ascer- 
tained the  said  assessors  of  each  Township  or  district,  shall 
then  proceed  to  make  said  assessment:  They  shall  first 
compute  the  amount  of  the  certainties  in  such  Township 
or  district,  and  deduct  the  same  from  the  quota  of  such 
Township  or  district,  together  with  all  such  forfeitures  as 
may  be  received  by  virtue  of  this  ordinance;  and,  after 
such  deduction,  the  said  assessors  shall  add  their  own, 
and  the  township  and  county  collectors  fees  to  the  remain- 
der; and  assess  such  remainder  and  addition  of  tees 
equally  on  the  pound  value  of  all  the  estates  in  their 
respective  Townships  or  districts,  of  which  they  may 
have  taken  the  value  as  hereinbefore  directed,  so  as  to 
make  up  and  pay  the  respective  quotas  as  aforesaid,  with 
the  additional  charges  of  assessing,  collecting  and  paying 
the  same  into  the  Treasury  as  aforesaid  ;  of  which  assess- 
ments, the  said  respective  assessors  shall  deliver  exact 
duplicates  to  the  collectors  of  such  districts  within  ten 
days  after  settling  the  quotas  as  aforesaid.  For  assess- 
ing and  collecting  which  said  assessments,  the  assessors 
shall  have  six  Pence,  the  town  collector  four  Pence,  and 
the  county  collector  two  Pence  on  the  pound  for  all 
monies  assessed  and  collected  by  virtue  of  this  ordinance. 

And  whereas  some  owners  of  improved  lands  and 
tenements,  may  not  reside  in  the  said  County  or  Town- 
ship where  the  same  shall  be  situated  :  It  is  therefore  Re- 
solved, That  tiie  tenant  or  person  occupying  such  land 
and  tenement,  or  either  of  them,  shall  be  assessed  for  the 
same,  and  may  deduct  such  assessment  out  of  the  rent 
with  which  he  is  chargeable  for  such  land  or  tenement; 
and  where  no  tenant  or  person  in  the  County  occupies 
such  land,  the  tax  for  the  same,  shall  be  recovered  of 
the  owner  thereof  in  like  manner  as  hereinafter  is  di- 
rected. And  every  person  seated  on  and  holding  land, 
not  having  the  property  thereof,  or  paying  rent  for  the 
same,  shall,  notwithstanding  be  assessed  for  so  much 
lands,  and  tenants,  as  he  or  they  shall  actually  occupy. 

And  it  is  fartlier  Resolved,  That  the  Collectors  of  each 
Township  or  District,  shall  in  some  convenient  time  after 
receiving  the  aforesaid  assessments  from  the  assessors, 
notify  each  particular  person  assessed  thereof,  informing 

him 


425 


him  of  the  time  the  same  must  be  paid.  And  in  case  any 
such  assessments  shall  remain  unpaid  the  first  day  of 
November,  after  such  assessment,  the  said  Collector  shall 
make  out  a  list  of  all  such  delinquents,  with  the  sums  in 
which  they  are  severally  assessed,  and  lay  the  same  be- 
fore the  Committee  of  the  County  to  which  they  belong; 
which  Committee  are  hereby  directed  and  required  to 
make  out  a  warrant  of  distress,  directed  to  such  person 
or  persons  as  they  shall  appoint  for  that  purpose,  requir- 
ing distress  to  be  made  on  all  such  delinquents  goods 
and  chattels,  to  at  least  the  amount  of  their,  respective 
assessments,  with  the  addition  of  eighteen  pence  for  each 
distress;  directing,  that  such  goods  and  chattels  be  sold 
in  five  days  after  such  distress,  for  })aying  their  said 
assessments,  and  costs  of  distraint.  And  in  case  any 
person  or  persons  shall  think  him  or  themselves  aggrieved 
by  such  assessment,  every  such  person  may  appeal  to  the 
Committee  of  the  County  in  which  he  or  they  reside, 
within  one  month  after  notice  of  such  assessment ;  which 
Committee  shall  proceed  to  hear  such  appeal,  and  give 
suitable  redress. 

And  in  order  to  prevent  dissentions  in  the  several 
Townships  in  this  Colony,  respecting  settling  their  quotas, 
from  a  suspicion  that  the  assessors  of  some  one  town,  have 
valued  the  estates  therein  less  than  the  assessors  of  an- 
other town  in  the  same  County. 

It  is  therefore  Resolved,  That  in  settling  the  quotas  of 
each  township,  the  assessors  shall  produce  an  exact 
account  of  the  quantity  of  land  in  that  township,  with 
the  number  of  cattle  and  horses  of  two  years  old  and 
upwards,  money  at  interest,  and  the  before  mentioned 
certainties  ;  which  certainties  shall  be  first  deducted  from 
the  quota  of  the  County,  as  heretofore  hath  been  practised 
in  like  cases,  and  then  divide  the  remainder  to  each 
township  upon  the  land,  and  mone}'  at  interest;  in  which 
division  the  land  shall  be  valued  between  the  sums 
limited  for  each  County,  by  the  last  act  of  assembly  of 
this  Colony,  for  settling  the  quotas  in  the  several  Coun- 
ties :  And  the  cattle  and  horses  shall  be  valued  at  eight 
shillings  each  head,  and  the  money  at  interest  at  the  one 
twentieth  part  of  the  real  amount  thereof,  and  divide  the 

same 


426 


same  upon  the  Pound  value  of  such  estates;  which  said 
valuation,  is  only  to  regulate  the  division  of  the  quotas 
of  each  township.  But,  in  making  the  assessments,  the 
said  land,  tenements,  and  real  estate  of  each  individual 
is  to  he  valued  at  the  one  twentieth  part  of  the  real 
intrinsic  value  thereof,  except  tracts  of  land  whereon  no 
improvement  is  made,  which  is  to  be  valued  at  the  one 
fortieth  part  of  the  value  thereof,  as  is  before  directed. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  if  any  per- 
son or  persons,  shall  in  this  Colony  refuse  to  accept  in 
payment  any  of  the  bills  of  credit  emitted  in  virtue  of 
this  ordinance,  not  exceeding  ten  Pounds,  he  or  they  so 
refusing,  shall  forfeit  the  the  sum  of  ten  Pounds,  and  if 
the  sum  tendered  and  refused  as  aforesaid,  exceed  the  sum 
of  ten  Pounds,  then  the  person  so  refusing  shall  forfeit  a 
sum  equal  in  value  to  the  sum  so  refused  ;  and  in  order 
that  the  mode  of  recovery  of  the  said  sums  so  forfeited  as 
aforesaid,  may  be  ascertained  and  established  ;  it  is  further 
directed,  that  on  complaint  against  any  person  refusing- 
said  bills  as  aforesaid,  being  made  to  the  Committee  of 
the  township  where  the  same  shall  happen,  the  said  Com- 
mittee shall  give  notice  to  said  delinquent,  that  he  be  and 
appear  before  them  at  a  day  and  place  to  be  ascertained 
in  such  notice,  to  answer  to  the  charge  also  to  be  speci- 
fied therein  ;  and  if  it  shall  appear  to  the  said  Committee 
by  the  oath  or  afiirmation  of  two  good  and  lawful  wit- 
nesses, that  the  said  delinquent  hath  made  such  refusal, 
and  that  he  had,  previous  thereto,  been  informed  of  the 
penalty  to  be  incurred  thereby,  in  virtue  of  this  ordi- 
nance, then,  and  in  such  case,  the  Chairman  or  deputy 
Chairman  of  said  Committee  shall,  by  an  order  in  writing, 
under  his  hand,  directed  to  some  v)roper  person  to  be  ap- 
pointed by  said  Committee,  authorize  said  persons  to 
make  distress  and  sale  of  the  goods,  chattels  and  effects 
of  the  delinquent,  to  the  amount  of  the  forfeitures  incur- 
red as  aforesaid,  together  with  costs  and  expences,  that 
shall  accrue  by  reason  of  said  refusal,  to  be  taxed  by  said 
Committee;  and  the  said  person  appointed  to  distrain  as 
aforesaid,  shall  proceed  thereon  in  like  manner  and  form, 
as  the  distrainer  is  herein  before  directed  for  collecting 
the  assessments  made  in  virtue  of  this  ordinance ;  and 

shall 


427 


sliall  and  may  retain  in  his  hands,  one  Shilling  and  six- 
pence, if  the  sum  levied  as  aforesaid,  be  under  ten 
Pounds  ;  and  if  the  same  exceed  ten  Pounds,  then  the 
addition  of  three  pence  the  Pound  for  each  distress  and 
sale  ;  and  the  residue  of  the  monies  that  shall  arise  from 
said  sale,  he  shall  deliver  to  the  owner  of  the  goods  and 
chattels,  distrained  as  aforesaid.  And  in  case  any  such 
delinquent  shall  think  himself  aggrieved  by  the  deter- 
mination of  the  said  Committee,  he  shall  and  may,  within 
five  days  after  such  determination,  appeal  to  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  County,  he  previously  giving  sufficient 
security  to  the  Chairman  of  said  Township  Committee, 
to  prosecute  said  appeal  the  next  meeting  of  said  County 
Committee;  and  also  for  payment  of  all  such  sums, 
costs,  and  charges  as  shall  be  adjudged  against  him  by 
the  said  County  Committee;  and  in  case  he  shall  think 
liimself  aggrieved  by  the  determination  of  the  said 
County  Committee,  he  may,  within  five  days  thereafter, 
appeal  therefrom  to  the  Congress  or  Committee  of  Safety 
ot  this  Province,  giving  security  to  the  Chairman  or 
deputy  Chairmen  of  the  said  County  Committee,  to  pros- 
ecute said  appeal  at  their  next  meeting ;  and  also  for 
payment  of  all  such  sums,  costs  and  charges,  as  shall  be 
adjudged  against  him,  by  the  Congress  or  Committee  of 
Safety  as  aforesaid  ;  which  appeals,  the  several  Chairmen 
or  deputy  Chairman  of  the  several  Committees  aforesaid, 
are  hereby  required  to  grant  on  the  above  conditions. 

And  it  is  furtlier  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  all  the  for- 
feitures adjudged,  recovered,  and  collected  as  aforesaid, 
shall  be  paid  by  the  person  collecting  the  same,  to  the 
collector  of  the  County  where  the  delinquency  happens, 
to  be  by  him  as  soon  as  may  be  thereafter,  paid  into  the 
hands  of  the  Treasurers  aforesaid,  to  be  appropriated  and 
applied  for  the  public  uses  of  this  Colony,  as  the  Provin- 
cial Congress  shall  order  and  direct. 


An 


428 


AN  ORDINANCE 

To  prevent  persons  deserting  places  in  danger  of  being 
attacked,  and  for  restraining  such  as  are  dangerous  to 
tlie  common  cause,  from  taking  refuge  in  this  Colony. 

Whereas  large  numbers  of  people  are  daily  removing 
from  the  neighbouring  Colonies  into  New  Jersey,  and  it 
being  unknown  upon  what  principles  such  removals  are 
occasioned;  whether  it  is  to  seek  an  asylum  from  minis- 
terial oppression,  or  the  resentment  of  their  injured 
country,  to  whom  they  may  havebecome  obnoxious,  by  ad- 
hering to  the  present  system  of  tyranny  now  endeavour- 
ing to  be  executed  in  America  ;  and  it  being  inconsistent 
with  the  principles  of  persons  properly  attached  to  the 
cause  of  liberty,  to  desert  their  Town  or  Country,  at  a 
time  their  assistance  ma\'  be  absolutely  necessary  for  its 
defence,  unless  the  support  and  maintenance  of  their 
families  may  make  such  removal  necessary.  This  Con- 
gress do  therefore  think  it  advisable,  that,  although  the 
inhabitants  of  this  Colony  ought  most  cheerfully  to  re- 
ceive into  their  protection,  and  afford  all  the  relief  in 
their  power  to  all  such  as  are  helpless,  and  unable  to 
defend  themselves,  yet  they  ought  to  prevent  the  deser- 
tion of  places  in  immediate  danger  of  an  attack  from  the 
enemy,  by  all  who  are  proper  to  remain  for  the  defence 
thereof;  and  also  to  prevent  persons  inimical  to  the 
liberties  for  which  the  United  Colonies  are  contending, 
from  taking  refuge  in  this  Province :  For  remedy  whereof 
it  is  hereby  Resolved,  That  all  persons  proper  to  bear  arms 
who  have  removed  or  may  remove  into  this  Colony  from 
any  City  or  County  of  another  Province,  in  danger  of 
being  suddenly  attacked,  do  immediately  return  to  such 
City  or  Province,  to  make  that  defence  becoming  every 
good  citizen,  who  entertains  a  proper  sense  of  the  worth 
of  liberty,  and  who  has  a  due  regard  to  his  Country's 
welfare ;  unless  such  person  or  persons  shall  produce 
licenses  or  permits  from  the  Committee  of  such  City  or 
County  from  whence  he  or  they  remove,  to  reside  in  this 


429 


Colony ;  or  unless  the  residence  of  such  person  in  this 
Colony  may  appear  necessary  for  the  support  of  his 
family,  which  may  be  removed  here  for  safety  ;  or  unless 
such  person  or  persons,  from  the  present  stagnation  of 
business  may  have  no  visible  means  of  support  in  the 
Colon}'  from  whence  he  came,  and  can  procure  such  sup- 
port by  his  industry  in  this  Colony.  And  the  Committee 
of  each  and  every  County  and  Township  in  this  Colony 
are  directed  to  carry  the  above  resolve  into  effect; 
and  to  cause  all  such  persons,  except  as  abovesaid,  to 
return  to  the  City  or  Province  from  whence  they  came, 
after  giving  them  a  reasonable  time  to  settle  their  fami- 
lies, and  transact  any  business  that  may  appear  necessary 
for  the  public  good,  or  their  families  support. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  all  suspected  persons 
removing  into  this  Colony,  shall  immediately  return  to 
the  place  they  came  from  ;  unless  their  behaviour  in  this 
Colony,  shall  render  their  detention  as  delinquents 
proper:  or  unless  such  persons  produce  certificates  from 
the  Committee  of  the  City,  Township  or  County  from 
whence  they  came,  that  they  have  signed  the  general 
association  recommended  by  the  Continental  or  their 
Provincial  Congress;  and  have  not  by  any  subsequent 
act  contravened  the  same ;  or  that  they  are  deemed  to  be 
well  affected  to  the  cause  of  American  freedom.  Which  last 
resolve,  the  respective  Committees  abovesaid,  are  also 
requested  to  carry  into  effect. 


AN  ORDINANCE 

For  directing  the  mode,  and  fixing  the  time  for  the  elec- 
tion of  Deputies  to  serve  in  Provincial  Congress,  for 
this  Colony ;  and  also  to  ascertain  the  qualification  of 
electors. 

Whereas  the  ordinance  for  regulating  the  election  of 
Deputies,  to  serve  in  the  Provincial  Congress  of  this 

Colony, 


430 


Colony,  doth  not  sufficiently  answer  the  good  purposes 
intended  : 

And  whereas,  at  this  particular  period,  it  appears  to  be 
reasonable  and  expedient,  to  extend  the  qualification  of 
electors,  to  persons  possessing  certain  degrees  of  property, 
as  well  personal  as  real.  And  to  the  end  that  elections, 
upon  which  the  safety  of  the  people  so  much  depends, 
may  not  be  corruptly  managed  or  obtained. 

It  is  therefore  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  all  freehold- 
ers qualified  to  vote  for  Representatives  in  General  Assem- 
bly in  this  Colony,  who  have  signed  the  general  association 
recommended  by  this  Congress;  and  all  other  persons  of 
full  age,  who,  immediately  preceding  the  election,  shall 
have  resided  for  the  space  of  one  year  in  any  County  of 
this  Colony,  and  who  are  worth  at  least  fifty  Pounds 
Proclamation  money  in  personal  estate,  and  have  signed 
the  general  association  as  aforesaid,  shall  be  admitted  to 
vote  in  the  County  wherein  he  resides,  for  Deputies  to 
serve  in  Provincial  Congress. 

And  in  order  that  the  good  people  of  this  Colony  so 
qualified  as  aforesaid,  may  have  an  opportunity  of  a  new 
choice  of  Deputies,  and  of  renewing  such  choice  annually, 
during  the  continuance  of  the  present  troubles: 

It  is  therefore  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  there 
be  a  new  choice  of  Deputies  to  serve  in  Provincial  Con- 
gress, for  every  County  of  this  Colony,  on  the  fourth 
Monday  in  May,  yearly,  and  every  year. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  inhabi- 
tants of  each  County  in  this  Colony,  so  qualified  as  afore- 
said, do  meet  together  at  the  places  hereinafter  men- 
tioned, on  the  fourth  Monday  in  May  next,  and  on  the 
fourth  Monday  in  May,  annually,  and  then  and  there  by 
plurality  of  voices,  between  the  hours  of  ten  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  three  in  the  afternoon,  proceed  to  elect  any 
number,  not  more  than  five,  nor  less  than  three  substan- 
tial Freeholders.  Each  of  whom  shall  be  bona  fide, 
worth  five  hundred  Pounds  Proclamation  money,  at  the 
least,  in  real  and  personal  estate,  to  serve  as  Deputies, 
with  full  power  to  represent  such  County  in  Provincial 
Congress,  to  be  held  at  the  City  of  Burlington,  on  the 
second  Monday  in  June  next.    And  that  the  places  of 

meeting 


431 


meeting  for  the  election  in  each  County,  sliall  be,  for  the 
County  of  Bergen,  at  the  Court  House  in  New  Barbados. 
County  of  Essex,  at  the  Court  House  in  Newark.  County 
of  Middlesex,  at  the  Court  House  in  New  Brunswick. 
County  of  Somerset,  at  the  Court  House  at  Hillsborough. 
County  of  Morris,  at  the  Court  House  in  Morristown. 
County  of  Monmouth,  at  the  Court  House  in  Freehold. 
County  of  Hunterdon,  at  the  Court  House  in  Trenton. 
County  of  Sussex,  at  the  Court  House  in  Newton.  County 
of  Burlington,  at  the  Court  House  in  the  city  of  Burling- 
ton. Count}'  of  Gloucester,  at  the  Court  House  in  the 
town  of  Gloucester.  County  of  Salem,  at  the  Court  House 
in  the  town  of  Salem.  County  of  Cumberland,  at  the 
Court  House  in  Bridgetown,  and  County  of  Cape  May,  at 
the  Court  House  in  the  Middle  Precinct. 

Provided  always,  that  this  resolution  shall  not  be  con- 
strued to  prevent  an  adjournment  of  any  election  from 
day  to  day,  and  from  place  to  place,  if  the  same  shall  be 
found  necessary. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  inhabi- 
tants of  this  Colony,  so  qualified  as  aforesaid,  on  the  first 
day  of  each  election,  between  the  hours  of  ten  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  one  in  the  afternoon,  do  proceed  to  elect  one 
substantial  freeholder  in  each  County  to  preside  as  Judge 
of  such  election,  who  shall  attend  in  person,  and  if  a  poll 
be  demanded,  the  election  shall  be  conducted  as  follows: 
Each  candidate  may  appoint  one  Inspector,  and  one 
Clerk  ;  and  each  of  the  Clerks  shall  set  down  in  writing 
the  names  of  the  electors,  and  their  numbers  in  the  pres- 
ence of  the  Judge  and  shall  make  as  many  distinct  col- 
umns on  fair  paper,  as  there  shall  be  cadidates  voted  for; 
but  previous  to  which,  every  Clerk  so  appointed,  shall, 
by  the  Judge  of  the  election,  or  by  some  magistrate  then 
present,  be  charged  on  his  solemn  oath  or  affirmation, 
"Truly  and  impartially  to  take  the  votes  and  set  down 
the  name  of  each  elector;  and  the  place  of  his  residence, 
and  to  poll  no  elector  who  is  not  attested,  if  so  required 
by  the  Judge  or  Inspectors  of  such  election. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  Judge 
of  each  election  shall  not  declare  the  choice  upon  the 
view,  nor  adjourn  either  to  another  day  or  place,  without 

the 


432 


the  consent  of  the  majority  of  the  candidates,  nor  by  any 
unnecessary  adjournment,  delay  the  election  :  And  shall 
give  a  copy  of  the  poll  to  every  person  that  shall  desire 
the  same,  upon  the  payment  of  reasonable  fees  for  writing 
thereof.  And  if  any  freeholder  shall  be  questioned  as  to 
his  qualification  by  either  of  the  candidates  or  Inspectors, 
such  freeholder  shall  be  charged  by  the  Judge  of  such 
election,  or  by  some  magistrate  then  present,  on  his 
solemn  oath  or  affirmation,  "to  declare  or  swear  in  the 
presence  of  God,  that  he  is,  and  hath  been  a  freeholder 
and  resident  in  the  County  for  one  whole  year  immedi- 
ately preceding.  That  the  estate  for  which  he  claims  to 
give  his  vote  in  such  election,  is  his  own  proper  estate, 
and  that  it  is  not  conveyed  to  him  in  trust,  or  on  condi- 
tion that  he  should  give  his  vote  in  such  election  for  any 
particular  person  whatsoever." 

And  if  any  elector,  not  being  a  freeholder  so  qualified 
as  aforesaid,  shall  be  questioned  as  to  his  qualification 
by  either  of  the  candidates  or  Inspectors,  such  elector 
shall  be  charged  in  manner  and  form  aforesaid,  on  his 
solemn  oath  or  affirmation,  "  To  declare  or  swear,  that  he 
is  twenty-one  years  of  age,  that  he  hath  immediately  pre- 
ceding the  election,  resided  for  one  whole  j'ear  in  the 
county ;  that  he  is  worth  a  clear  estate  of  the  value  of  at 
least  fifty  Pounds  proclamation  money,  and  that  he  hath 
not  before  voted  at  such  election." 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  Chair- 
man of  the  several  County  Committees  in  this  Colony,  do 
give  public  notice  of  the  time  and  place  of  such  elections, 
by  putting  up  advertisements  in  writing,  at  least  twenty 
days  before  the  time  of  each  election,  at  one  or  more  of 
the  most  public  places  in  each  township  or  precinct  in 
the  several  Counties  in  this  Colony. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  Deputies 
so  elected  as  aforesaid,  shall  receive  a  certificate  of  their 
election  in  the  words  following,  to  wit,  "  We  do  hereby 
certify,  that  on  the  day  of  the  date  hereof, 

were  declared  duly  elected  Deputies  for  the 
county  of  in  the  Colony  of  New  Jersey, 

with  full  power  to  represent  the  said  County  in  Provincial 

Congress, 


433 


Congress,  to  be  held  at  in  the  County  of 

on  the  day  of 

next.    As  witness  our  hands  and  seals,  this 
day  of  Anno  dom., 

177  .  Which  certificate,  under  the  hands  and  seals  of  the 
Judge  chosen  to  preside  at  such  election,  together  with 
five  or  more  freeholders  of  the  said  county,  shall  be  suffi- 
cient evidence  of  such  election.  And  the  Deputies  so 
chosen  as  aforesaid,  shall  give  their  attendance  in  Pro- 
vincial Congress  accordingly. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  in  case  of 
the  death,  or  removal  out  of  the  Colony  of  any  of  the 
Deputies  so  chosen  as  aforesaid,  before  the  next  annual 
election  ;  or  in  case  the  seat  of  any  Deputy  so  chosen  as 
aforesaid,  being  declared  vacant,  the  freeholders  and 
electors  so  qualified  as  aforesaid,  of  trie  County  for  which 
such  person  was  a  Deputy,  shall  upon  the  receipt  of  a 
warrant  under  the  hand  and  seal  of  the  President,  or 
Vice  President  for  the  time  being.  Directed  to  the  Chair- 
man of  such  County  Committee  for  that  purpose,  have 
leave  to  proceed  to  a  new  election  to  supply  his  place.  i 
Provided  always,  that  such  election  be  carried  on  and 
regulated  in  such  manner  and  form  as  herein  is  before 
more  particularly  mentioned  and  expressed. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  when  and 
as  often  as  any  new  election  of  Deputies  for  the  Colony 
in  general,  to  serve  in  any  future  Congress,  shall  be 
directed  to  be  held,  the  freeholders  and  electors  so  quali- 
fied as  aforesaid,  of  each  Countj',  do  proceed  to  elect  a 
sufficient  number  of  freeholders  ior  each  Township,  to 
constitute  a  County  Committee  of  Observation  and  Cor- 
respondence, with  full  power  as  well  to  superintend  and 
direct  the  necessary  business  of  the  County,  as  to  carry 
into  execution  the  resolutions  and  orders  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress,  the  Provincial  Congress,  or  Committee 
of  Safety  of  this  Colony ;  subject  nevertheless  to  the  same 
rules  and  regulations  as  are  herein  before  resolved  and 
directed  for  regulating  of  elections  of  Deputies  to  serve  in 
Provincial  Congress. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  free- 
holders and  inhabitants  of  each  Township  in  this  Colony, 

do 

29 


434 


do  on  the  second  Tuesday  in  March  yearly,  and  every 
year,  proceed  anew  in  like  manner,  to  elect  such  a  num- 
ber of  proper  persons  as  shall  be  thought  necessary  to 
constitute  Committees,  to  act  as  Committees  of  Observa- 
tion and  Correspondence  in  each  Township,  with  power 
to  transact  the  business  referred  to  them  by  the  Conti- 
nental Congress,  the  Provincial  Congress,  or  Committee 
of  Safety  of  this  Colony ;  or  by  the  respective  County 
Committees. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  on  the 
fourth  Monday  in  May  next,  this  Congress  shall  be,  and 
the  same  is  hereby  directed  to  be  dissolved;  anything 
in  the  ordinance  of  the  late  Provincial  Congress  of  this 
Colony,  of  the  twelfth  of  August  last,  contained  to  the 
contrary  notwithstanding. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  at  all 
future  meetings  of  the  Deputies  chosen  to  represent  this 
Colony  in  Provincial  Congress,  the  votes  be  taken  from 
the  members  individually,  and  not  from  the  Counties 
collectively. 

And  it  appearing  to  this  Congress  to  be  essential  to  the 
welfare  of  this  Colony,  that  all  persons  chosen  to  serve  as 
Deputies  in  Provincial  Congress,  should,  as  far  as  their 
particular  circumstances  admit,  be  perfectly  free  from 
other  public  engagements. 

It  is  therefore  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  whenever  it 
shall  appear,  that  any  Deputy  or  Deputies  in  Provincial 
Congress,  have  accepted  any  military  office  of  profit 
under  the  Continental  or  Provincial  Congress,  which 
office  may  require  the  personal  service  of  such  Deputy 
or  Deputies,  the  seat  of  such  Deputy  or  Deputies  in  Pro- 
vincial Congress,  shall  be  declared  vacant,  and  a  new 
election  be  ordered  to  fill  up  such  vacancy:  And  such 
Deputy  or  Deputies,  during  his  or  their  continuance  in 
such  office  of  profit,  shall  not  be  entitled  to  a  seat,  in  this 
or  any  future  Congress. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  Depu- 
ties so  chosen  as  aforesaid,  when  met  in  Provincial  Con- 
gress, are  and  shall  be  judges  of  the  qualification  of  their 
own  members,  and  shall  have  power  to  reject  such  per- 
sons as  are  or  shall  be  unduly  elected  Deputies  to  serve 


435 

in  Congress:  And  also,  to  expel  or  disable  all  such  Dep- 
uties to  sit  or  serve,  who  either,  by  ill  practice  in  elections, 
or  by  misbehaviour  in  Congress,  shall,  by  this,  or  by  any 
future  Congress,  or  the  major  part  of  them,  be  declared 
unfit  for  a  seat  therein. 


AN  ORDINANCE 
For  numbering  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Colony, 

Whereas  it  is  recommended  by  the  Honourable  Con- 
tinental Congress,  that  the  number  of  inhabitants  of  all 
ages  including  negroes  and  mulattoes,  in  each  Colony  be 
taken  in  order  to  settle  an  equitable  quota  of  the  taxes 
which  may  hereafter  be  levied  on  the  United  Colonies, 
for  sinking  the  bills  of  credit,  which  have  been,  or  may 
be  emitted  for  the  the  support  and  defence  of  the  said 
United  Colonies. 

Therefore  be  it  Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  each 
precinct  or  Township  in  this  Colony,  do,  as  soon  as  may 
be,  after  the  publication  hereof,  appoint  one  or  more 
person  or  persons,  as  they  shall  think  proper,  to  take  an 
account  of  the  number  of  inhabitants  of  all  ages,  in- 
cluding negroes  and  mulattoes,  within  their  respective 
bounds ;  which  said  person  or  persons  so  appointed,  shall, 
within  six  days  after  being  notified  thereof  in  writing 
by  the  Chairman  of  said  Committee,  repair  to  some  jus- 
tice of  the  peace  in  the  County  where  he  or  they  reside, 
who  is  hereby  directed  to  administer  to  him  or  them  the 
following  oath,  or  affirmation  if  a  Quaker,  to  wit : 

"  You  shall  well  and  truly  take  a  list  of  the  number  of 
all  the  inhabitants  of  the  Township  of  in 
the  County  of  according  to  the  direc- 

tions of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New  Jersey;  and 
make  a  fair  and  impartial  return  thereof,  to  the  Chair- 
man of  the  Committee  of  the  County  of 
So  help  you  God." 

And 


43G 

And  the  said  person  or  persons  so  qualified,  shall,  on 
or  before  the  twentieth  da}'  of  August  next,  make  return 
of  his  or  their  list,  containing  the  number  of  inhabitants 
so  taken,  to  the  Cliairraan  of  the  Committee  of  the  County 
to  which  they  belong.  Which  County  Committee  are 
hereby  authorized  to  allow  such  reward  for  the  said  ser- 
vice, as  they  shall  think  reasonable,  by  an  order  in 
writing,  signed  by  the  Chairman  of  said  Committee,  and 
directed  to  the  County  Collector,  to  be  paid  by  him  out 
of  the  public  money  in  his  hands.  And  the  said  County 
Committee,  within  one  month  after  receiving  said  lists, 
shall  return  the  same,  together  with  one  general  list, 
comprehending  the  whole  of  the  said  inhabitants  within 
their  respective  jurisdictions,  unto  the  Congress,  or,  dur- 
ing its  recess,  to  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  this  Colony. 


AN  ORDINANCE 

For  incorporating  the  minute  men  lately  raised  in  this 
Colony  into  the  body  of  militia ;  and  for  further  regu- 
lating said  militia. 

Whereas  by  a  resolution  of  this  Congress  of  the  twelfth 
of  August  last,  a  number  of  minute  men  were  directed  to 
be  raised,  enlisted  and  enrolled  in  the  several  Counties 
of  this  Colony,  under  officers  to  be  appointed  and  com- 
missioned by  this  Congress,  to  hold  themselves  in  con- 
stant readiness  to  march  to  any  place,  where  their  assist- 
ance might  be  required  for  the  defence  of  this  or  any 
neighbouring  Colony. 

And  whereas,  in  obedience  to  said  resolve,  several  com- 
panies were  enlisted  and  formed  into  battalions;  since 
which  large  numbers  of  said  minute  men  having  entered 
into  the  Continental  service,  the  said  companies  and  bat- 
talions are  greatly  reduced,  and  in  no  condition  to  answer 
the  design  of  their  institution. 

And  whereas  our  defence,  under  God,  chiefly  depends 
upon  a  well  regulated  militia. 

It 


437 


It  is  therefore  Resolved,  That  all  the  minute  men  hereto- 
fore embodied  in  the  several  parts  of  this  Colony,  be  im- 
mediately dissolved,  and  incorporated  with  the  militia 
in  the  several  companies  in  the  district  in  which  they 
respectively  reside,  as  thousfh  such  minute  men  had 
never  been  raised  ;  anything  in  the  above  mentioned  re- 
solve to  the  contrary  notwithstanding. 

And  whereas  by  an  ordinance  of  Congress,  passed  this 
present  sitting,  all  persons  refusing  to  sign  the  general 
association,  with  the  provi&o  therein  mentioned,  are 
directed  to  be  disarmed,  and  give  security  for  their  future 
good  behaviour,  and  some  doubts  arising  whether  such 
non-associators  so  disarmed,  shall  be  subject  to  the  fines 
and  forfeitures  for  non-attendance  in  the  militia,  as 
directed  by  the  late  Military  Ordinance.  For  removing 
which  doubts,  it  is  further  resol/ved,  That  each  and  every 
person  in  this  Colony,  disarmed  for  refusing  to  sign  the 
said  association,  shall  be  subject  to  the  same  fines  and 
forfeitures  for  not  attending  and  doing  duty  in  the  militia, 
or  paying  an  equivalent  therefor,  as  directed  by  said 
ordinance  in  the  same  manner,  as  though  he  had  not 
been  disarmed. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  all  and  every  person  or 
persons,  capable  of  bearing  arms,  who  shall  attend  at 
general  musters,  or  at  times  appointed  for  learning  mili- 
tary discipline,  and  at  such  time  or  times,  shall  behave 
himself  or  themselves  rudely  and  disorderly,  and  disobey 
the  order  of  his  or  their  Captain,  or  other  Commanding 
Officer,  shall  forfeit  and  pay  for  every  such  unruly  and 
disorderly  behaviour,  the  sum  of  six  Shillings,  to  be  re- 
covered and  applied  as  directed  for  non-atfendance. 


AN  ORDINANCE 

For  raising  two  Artillery  Companies  in  New  Jersey,  and 
providing  for  their  pay  and  subsistence. 

Whereas  the  present  exigencies  of  the  times  renders 

it 


438 


it  necessary  to  raise  at  least  two  artiller}'  companies  for 
the  defence  of  this  Colony,  one  to  be  stationed  in  tlie 
Eastern,  and  the  other  in  the  Western  Division  thereof. 
It  in  therefore  Resolved,  That  two  artillery  companies,  con- 
sisting of  sixty-four  men,  officers  included,  be  immedi- 
ately raised,  to  be  disposed  of  in  this  Colony,  as  the  Con- 
gress, Committee  of  Safety,  Brigadier  General  of  the 
Division  to  which  they  respectively  belong,  shall  direct ; 
each  company  to  be  commanded  by  a  Captain,  Captain- 
Lieutenant,  First  and  Second  Lieutenants ;  and  to  consist 
of  a  Fire-worker,  four  Sergeants,  four  Corporals,  one  Bom- 
badier,  and  fifty  matrosses,  all  of  whom  are  to  be  able- 
bodied  freemen,  and  to  be  enlisted  for  one  year,  unless 
sooner  discharged;  and,  when  enlisted,  shall  sign  the 
following  enlistment  roll : 

I  have  this  day  voluntarilj'  enlisted  myself 

in  one  of  the  artillery  companies  to  be  raised  for  the  de- 
fence of  New  Jersey,  under  the  command  of  Captain 

to  continue  in  such  company  one  year,  un- 
less sooner  discharged  ;  and  do  bind  myself  to  conform, 
in  all  instances,  to  such  rules  and  regulations,  as  are  or 
shall  be  established  for  the  government  of  the  Continental 
forces,  or  for  the  said  artillery  companies,  by  the  Congress 
or  Committee  of  Safety  of  New  Jersey. 

And  it  is  farther  Resolved,  That  there  shall  be  paid  to 
the  officers  and  privates  of  said  companies,  from  the  time 
they  respectively  enter  into  the  service,  the  same  pay  as 
is  allowed  the  artillery  in  the  Continental  service;  which 
shall  be  punctually  paid  by  the  pay  masters  hereinafter 
named  and  appointed,  or  one  of  them  ;  who  shall  pay 
each  officer  ten  shillings  for  every  man  he  shall  enlist  in 
said  companies,  passing  muster;  and  also  pay  unto  each 
person  so  enlisted,  one  dollar  a  week  for  his  subsistence, 
from  the  time  he  enlists  in  such  company,  until  he  shall 
be  properly  stationed,  and  othewise  provided  for. 

And  it  is  farther  Resolved,  That  said  companies  shall,  at 
their  own  expence  put  themselves  in  proper  uniform,  and 
furnish  themselves  with  good  muskets,  or  fuzees  with 
bayonets. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  when  any  company  shall 
be  raised,  the  Captain  shall  cause  the  said  company  to  be 

mustered 


439 


mustered  in  tlie  presence  of  the  Muster  Masters,  or  either 
of  them,  appointed  to  muster  the  Third  Battalion,  now 
raising,  who  are  hereby  appointed  Muster  Masters  for 
that  purpose  ;  and  upon  such  review,  may  reject  such 
persons  as  they  or  either  of  them  may  think  unfit  or  im- 
proper for  such  service.  And  if  upon  such  review,  such 
Muster  Master,  who  shall  attend  for  that  purpose,  shall 
find  the  said  company  complete,  agreeable  to  the  above 
directions,  shall  thereupon  certify  the  same  on  the  back 
of  the  muster  roll  of  such  company,  to  this  Congress,  or, 
in  their  recess,  to  the  Committee  of  Safety,  in  order  that 
commissions  may  be  made  out  to  the  officers  of  such 
company;  whicli  commissions,  the  Committee  of  Safety 
of  this  Colony,  during  the  recess  of  this  Congress,  upon 
receiving  certificates  as  above,  are  required  to  make  out 
and  issue. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  Azariali  Dunliam,  Esq., 
be,  and  is  hereby  appointed  Commissary  and  Paymaster 
to  the  company  of  artillery  in  the  Eastern  Division  of 
this  Province;  and  that  Joseph  Ellis,  Esq.,  be,  and  is 
hereby  appointed  Commissary  and  Paymaster  to  the  said 
company,  directed  to  be  raised  in  the  Western  Division. 
"Which  said  Commissaries  shall  pay  off  the  said  compan- 
ies monthly;  and  when  assembled,  and  attending  the 
duty  to  which  they  are  appointed,  the  said  Commissaries 
shall  provide  for  such  companies  the  same  rations  of  pro- 
visions and  drink,  as  are  allowed  to  the  Continental 
forces.  The  said  Paymasters  and  Commissaries,  before 
they  enter  upon  the  execution  of  the  trust  hereby  reposed 
in  them,  shall  severally  take  an  oath,  "That  they  will 
w^ell  and  truly  do  and  perform  the  duties  hereby  enjoined 
them,  and  render  true  accounts  of  their  receipts  and  dis- 
bursements, when  required  by  a  Congress  of  this  Province, 
or  any  other  representative  body  of  this  Colony,  who  may 
call  for  the  same;"  and  deposite  such  deposition  with  the 
Treasurer  of  the  Division  to  which  they  belong.  And 
said  Paymasters  and  Commissaries,  shall  have  and  re- 
ceive from  the  Treasurers  of  this  Colony,  appointed  by 
Congress,  or  either  of  them,  all  such  sum  or  sums  of 
money,  from  time  to  time,  as  they  or  either  of  them  shall 
find  necessary  for  the  purposes  aforesaid  ;  and  shall  be 

alloM'ed 


440 


allowed  a  reasonable  compensation  for  their  time  and 
trouble,  in  receiving  and  paying  the  monies  herein  made 
payable;  and  for  procuring  and  supplying  provisions  for 
said  companies  as  aforesaid  :  And  the  receipts  of  the  said 
Paymasters  and  Commissaries,  for  all  monies  by  them  or 
either  of  them  received  of  the  said  Treasurers,  or  either 
of  them  as  aforesaid,  shall  be  sufficient  vouchers  to  in- 
demnify the  said  Treasurers,  their  executors  and  admin- 
istrators, for  all  monies  by  them  or  either  of  them,  paid 
out  pursuant  to  the  directions  of  this  ordinance. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  the  muster  masters  shall 
be  allowed  a  reasonable  compensation  for  reviewing 
and  mustering  such  companies. 


AN  ORDINANCE 

For  paying  a  bounty  on  salt  petre,  and  common  salt, 
manufactured  in  New  Jersey,  and  for  purchasing  salt 
petre. 

Whereas  by  a  resolution  of  this  Congress,  of  the 
twenty-fourth  of  October  last,  the  sum  of  one  thousand 
Pounds,  was  voted  to  be  appropriated  for  the  payment  of 
the  bounty  of  one  Shilling  per  pound,  over  and  above 
the  market  price,  for  any  quantity,  not  exceeding  twenty 
thousand  weight,  of  good  merchantable  salt  petre,  made 
and  manufactured  in  this  Colony,  on  or  before  the  first 
day  of  January,  1777. 

And  whereas  it  is  necessary  that  some  mode  should  be 
adopted,  in  order  that  the  appropriation  of  the  above 
bounty,  may  be  attended  with  the  beneficial  effects  de- 
signed. It  is  therefore  resolved  and  directed,  That  every 
person  in  this  Colony,  who  shall  become  a  candidate  for 
the  aforesaid  bounty,  or  any  part  thereof,  in  order  to  be 
entitled  to  the  same,  shall  produce  to  the  Treasurers  of 
this  Colony,  appointed  by  this  Congress,  or  either  of 
them,  a  certificate  under  the  hands  and  seals  of  the 

Chairman 


441 


Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  County  where  such 
person  resides,  "  That  the  quantity  of  salt  petre  for  which 
such  person  shall  claim  the  bounty,  was  manufactured  in 
such  County,  at  some  time  before  the  first  day  of  Jan- 
uary, 1777;  that  the  same  is  good  merchantable;  and 
that  the  claimant  hath  not  before  received  any  bounty 
for  the  same." 

And  the  several  County  Committees  of  this  Colony,  are 
hereby  authorized  and  directed,  when  any  claimant  for 
the  said  bounty,  shall  apply  to  them,  to  examine  such 
claimant  upon  oath  or  affirmation,  as  to  the  purport  of 
the  above  certificate;  and  in  order  that  the  quality  of 
the  salt  petre  may  be  sufficiently  ascertained,  the  County 
Committees  are  also  directed  to  call  in  the  aid  of  persons 
well  skilled  in  that  commodity. 

And  as  this  Congress  are  desirous  to  give  every  possi- 
ble encouragement  to  this  most  necessary  manufacture; 
it  is  therefore  resolved,  unanimomhi,  that  the  Committees  of 
each  respective  County  in  this  Colony,  do  contract  for  all 
such  good  merchantable  salt  petre  tliat  shall  be  made  in 
this  Colony,  at  any  time  before  the  first  day  of  September 
next,  and  for  which  the  aforesaid  bounty  shall  be  claimed, 
at  any  price  not  exceeding  three  Shillings  per  pound  for 
the  same,  over  and  above  the  said  bounty.  And  the  said 
Committees  are  hereby  directed  to  purchase  the  same  for 
the  use  of  this  Colony,  to  be  disposed  of  as  the  Congress 
of  this  Province  shall  direct. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  the  said 
Treasurers  of  this  Colony,  or  either  of  them,  out  of  the 
fifty  thousand  Pounds  made  current  in  bills  of  credit,  do 
pay  to  the  several  persons,  who,  upon  producing  such 
certificates,  as  aforesaid,  shall  or  may  claim  the  payment 
of  the  above  bounty,  or  any  part  thereof,  such  sum  or 
sums  of  money,  as  they  shall  respectively  be  entitled  to 
as  aforesaid.  And  also  to  the  Cliairman  of  the  several 
County  Committees  of  this  Colony,  or  to  their  order  given 
in  Committee,  such  sum  or  sums  of  money  as  the  respect- 
ive County  Committees  shall  have  engaged  to  pay  for 
the  purchase  of  such  salt  petre  as  aforesaid.  Provided, 
that  the  amount  of  the  sums  claimed  to  be  paid  as  a 
bounty,  do  not  exceed  the  sum  of  one  thousand  Pounds, 

and 


442 


and  that  not  more  than  the  sum  of  three  thousand 
Pounds,  be  advanced  for  the  purchase  of  salt  petre.  And 
the  receipt  of  such  claimants,  or  the  receipt  of  the  Chair- 
man of  such  respective  County  Committee,  or  person  in 
whose  favour  an  order  may  be  given  as  aforesaid,  endorsed 
on  such  certificates,  shall  be  sufficient  voxichers  to  the 
said  Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  for  the  payment  of 
such  bounties,  or  for  the  purchase  of  salt  petre  as  afore- 
said. 

And  whereas  the  making  of  common  salt  in  this 
Colony,  is  a  matter  of  the  highest  importance  at  this 
time;  it  is  therefore  resolved,  unanimously,  that  a  bounty  of 
six  Pence  per  bushel,  for  every  bushel  of  good  merchant- 
able salt,  that  shall  be  made  in  this  Colony,  at  any  time 
before  the  first  day  of  November,  1776.  Which  bounty 
the  said  Treasurers  of  this  Colony,  or  either  of  them,  are 
hereby  required  to  pay,  upon  certificates  duly  attested, 
and  agreed  to  as  aforesaid,  under  the  hand  and  seal  of 
the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  County  where 
such  salt  shall  be  made,  certifying,  that  it  hath  been 
proved  by  the  oaths  of  credible  witnesses,  that  such  salt 
hath  actually  been  made  in  some  County  of  this  Colony, 
at  some  time  before  the  said  first  day  of  November, 
1776;  and  that  the  claimant  hath  not  before  received 
any  bounty  for  the  same,  and  the  receipt  of  the  Chair- 
man endorsed  thereon,  shall  be  sufficient  vouchers  to 
the  said  Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  for  the  payment 
of  the  said  bounty. 


AN  ORDINANCE 
To  provide  for  the  payment  of  incidental  charges. 

Whereas  it  is  necessary  to  provide  for  the  payment  of 
such  incidental  charges  as  have  accrued  during  the  sit- 
tings of  this  Congress. 

It  is  therefore  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  there  be  paid 

to 


443 


to  Samuel  Tucker  and  John  Dennis,  Esquires,  the  Treas- 
urers appointed  by  this  Congress,  over  and  above  the 
money  allowed  by  this  ordinance  for  signing  the  bills  of 
credit,  the  sum  of  thirty  Pounds  proclamation  money 
each,  for  their  services  one  year,  to  commence  the  first 
day  of  March  instant. 

To  each  of  the  signers  of  said  bills  of  credit,  the  sura 
of  ten  Shillings  per  thousand,  for  so  many  thousand 
Pounds,  as  they  shall  respectively  sign. 

To  the  President,  and  each  of  the  members  of  this 
Congress,  and  Committee  of  Safety,  the  sum  of  six 
Shillings  per  diem,  for  every  day  they  have,  or  shall 
attend,  during  the  continuance  of  this  Congress,  to  be 
certified  by  Mr.  Fisher,  Mr.  Hart,  Mr.  Wetherill,  Mr. 
Clark,  and  Mr.  Elmer,  or  any  two  of  them. 

To  the  Secretary  of  this  Congress,  fourteen  Shillings 
per  diem,  for  each  day  that  he  hath  or  shall  attend  this 
Congress,  to  be  certified  as  aforesaid. 

To  each  of  the  muster  masters  of  this  Colony,  the  sum 
of  twenty-five  Shillings  for  every  company  he  has  re- 
viewed, or  shall  review  by  order  of  this  Congress. 

To  the  door  keeper,  the  sum  of  five  Shillings  per  diem, 
for  each  day  that  he  hath  or  shall  attend  this  Congress. 

To  Myndert  Voorhees,  the  sum  of  fifteen  Pounds  for 
fire  wood  and  candles,  and  for  the  use  of  his  large  room, 
during  the  present  sitting  of  this  Congress. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  Directed,  That  there  be 
paid  to  the  commissioners  appointed  to  purchase  arras 
and  araraunition,  tents  and  other  railitary  stores,  such 
sura  or  sums  of  money,  as  the  said  comraissioners  or  any 
three  of  them  shall  agree  upon,  as  necessary  to  be  ex- 
pended ;  whose  receipts  shall  be  sufiicient  vouchers  for 
the  payment  of  the  same. 

To  John  Carey,  Esq.,  as  a  recorapence  for  his  services 
as  Secretary,  during  the  last  sitting  of  this  Congress  at 
Trenton,  and  for  revising  and  copying  the  minutes  for 
the  press,  the  sura  of  eleven  Pounds  four  Shillings,  proc- 
lamation money. 

To  Doctor  Moses  Scott,  the  sura  of  one  Pound,  sixteen 
Shillings  and  three  Pence,  in  full  of  his  account,  for 
attending  certain  sick  soldiers  in  New  Brunswick. 

To 


444 


To  Robert  D  ruminond,  Esquire,  the  sum  of  nine 
Pounds,  three  Shillings  and  four  Pence,  in  full  of  his 
account  for  removing  the  treasury  and  records  in  the 
Secretary's  office  at  Perth  Amboy,  to  New  Brunswick. 

To  John  Dennis,  Esq.,  tiie  sum  of  seven  Pounds,  eight 
Shillings  and  three  Pence,  for  sundry  expenditures,  as 
per  account. 

To  John  Pope,  Esq.,  the  sum  of  three  Pounds,  three 
Shillings,  for  sundry  expenditures,  as  per  account. 

To  Ellis  Cook,  Esq..  the  sum  of  one  Pound,  six  Shil- 
lings and  eight  Pence,  in  full  of  his  account,  for  removing 
the  records  in  the  Surveyor  General's  office  at  Perth  Am- 
boy, to  New  Brunswick. 

To  Azariah  Dunham,  Esquire,  the  sum  of  two  Pounds, 
for  his  expenses,  in  going  to,  and  returning  from  Phila- 
delphia, on  a  message  to  the  Hon.  Continental  Congress. 

To  Abraham  Clark,  Esquire,  for  copying  and  correct- 
ing the  minutes  and  ordinances  of  this  session  for  the 
press,  such  sum  as  Azariah  Dunham,  and  John  Dennis, 
Esquires,  shall  agree  to  be  paid  for  that  service. 

Which  certificates,  with  receipts  indorsed  thereon,  shall 
be  sufficient  vouchers  to  the  said  Treasurers,  or  either  of 
them;  and  shall  discharge  them,  their  heirs,  executors, 
and  adminsstrators,  from  the  several  payments,  so  made 
and  paid  out  of  the  treasury  by  virtue  of  this  ordinance. 


Journal 


Journal 

Of  the  Votes  and  Proceedings  of  the  Conven- 
tion OF  New  Jersey,  begun  at  Burlington  the 
Tenth  of  June,  1776,  and  thence  continued  by 
Adjournment  at  Trenton  and  New  Brunswick, 
TO  the  Twenty-first  of  August  following,  to 
which  is  annexed  sundry  Ordinances  and  the 
Constitution. 


Journal,  &c. 

NAMES  OF  THE  DEPUTIES. 

Bergen — John  Demarest,  Jacobus  Post,  John  Van  Bos- 
kirk,  .Jacob  Quackenbush,  Daniel  Isaac  Brown. 

Essex — Stephen  Crane,  Abraham  Clark,  Lewis  Ogden, 
Caleb  Camp,  Robert  Druramond. 

Morris — Silas  Condict,  Jacob  Drake  Ellis  Cook,  Wil- 
liam Woodhull,  Jacob  Green. 

Sussex — Ephraim  Martin,  Casper  Shaver,  Thomas 
Potts,  Isaac  Van  Campen,  John  Cleves  Symmes. 

Somerset — Frederick  Frelinghuysen,  William  Pater- 
son,  John  Witherspoon,  Jacob  R.  Hardenbergh,  James 
Li  nn. 

Middlesex — Moses  Bloomfield,  John  Wetherill,  John 
Dunn,  Jonathan  D.  Sergeant,  Jolin  Combs. 

Monmouth — Edward  Taylor,  John  Covenhoven,  Joseph 
Holmes,  James  Mott,  Josiah  Holmes. 

Hunterdon — Philemon  Dickinson,  John  Allen,  Samuel 
Tucker;  John  Hart,  John  Mehelm. 

Burlington — 


446 


Burlington — Peter  Tallman, Thomas  Reynolds, Thomas 
Fennimore,  Charles  Read,  Caleb  Shreve. 

Gloucester — John  Sparks,  John  Cooper,  Elijah  Clark, 
Joseph  Hugg,  Joseph  Ellis. 

Salem — Andrew  Sinnickson,  John  Holme,  Joseph 
Shinn,  Whitten  Crips,  Samuel  Dick. 

Cumberland — Theophilus  Elmer,  Jonatlian  Ayers, 
Ephraim  Harris,  John  Buck,  Jonathan  Bowen. 

Cape  May — Elijah  Hughs,  Jesse  Hand,  Thomas  Learn- 
ing, Jun.,  Joseph  Savage,  Hugh  Hathorn. 

Burlington,  Monday,  June  10,  1776. 

The  Provincip,l  Congress  of  New  Jersey,  being  appointed 
to  meet  this  day  at  Burlington,  a  number  of  the  Members 
met  accordingly;  but  not  being  a  sufficient  number  to 
proceed  upon  business,  adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning 
ten  o'clock. 


Tuesday,  June  11,  ten  o'clock,  A.  M. 

A  sufficient  number  of  Members  not  being  yet  come  to 
town,  adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

The  Members  present  met  according  to  adjournment, 
and  a  sufficient  number  attending,  the  certificates  of  their 
elections  were  produced  and  read. 

Adjourned  to  six  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment,  and  proceeded  to  the 
election  of  a  President  and  Secretary,  when  Samuel 
Tucker  Esquire,  was,  by  a  plurality  of  votes,  chosen 
President,  (the  votes  being  taken  by  ballot)  and  William 
Paterson,  Esquire,  was  unanimously  chosen  Secretary. 

The  Rev.  Doctor  Witherspoon  opened  the  Congress 
with  prayer. 

♦  Upon 


447 


Upon  motion, 

Resolved,  unanimously.  That  the  doors  of  the  Congress 
be  kept  shut,  and  the  debates  and  proceedings  be  kept 
secret;  except  in  those  cases  wlierein  the  Congress  order 
otherwise. 

The  President  laid  before  the  Congress  a  letter  from  the 
Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esquire,  President  of  the 
Continental  Congress,  together  with  a  number  of  resolu- 
tions, which  are  as  follow  : 

"  In  Congress,  June  1, 1776. 

"Resolved,  That  six  thousand  militia  be  employed  to 
reinforce  the  army  in  Canada,  and  to  keep  up  the  com- 
munication with  that  Province;  and,  to  make  up  that 
number. 

Resolved,  That  the  Colony  of  Massachusetts-Bay  be  re- 
quested to  supply  of  their  militia,     3,000  four  battalions. 
Connecticut,  of  their  militia,      1,500  two  ditto. 
New  Hampshire,  of  their  militia,  750  one  ditto. 
New  Yoi'k,  of  their  militia,  750  one  ditto. 

June  3,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  be  empowered  to  employ  in 
Canada  a  number  of  Indians,  not  exceeding  two  thousand. 

That  thirteen  thousand  eight  hundred  militia  be  em- 
ployed to  reinforce  the  army  at  New  York ;  to  complete 
which  number, 

Resolved,  That  the  Colony  of  Massachusetts-Bay  be  re- 
quested to  furnish  of  their  militia,       -       -  2,000 
Connecticut,  of  their  militia,         -       -  5,500 
New  York  of  their  militia,  -       -  3,000 

^iew  Jersey,  of  their  militia,  -       -  3,300 

Resolved,  As  the  opinion  of  this  Congress,  that  the 
eleven  battalions  raised  and  ordered  to  be  raised  for  the 
protection  of  the  New  England  Colonies  are  sufficient. 

Resolved,  That  a  flying  camp  be  immediately  estab- 
lished in  the  middle  Colonies,  and  that  it  consist  of  ten 
thousand  men ;  to  make  up  which  number, 

Resolved, 


448 


Resolved,  That  the  Colony  of  Pennsylvania  be  requested 
to  furnisli  of  their  militia,  ...  G.OOO 

Maryland,  of  their  militia,  -  -  -  3,400 
Delaware  Government,  of  theirs,    -       -  600 

That  the  militias  be  engajijed  to  the  first  day  of  Decem- 
ber next,  unless  sooner  discharged  by  Congress. 

That  the  pay  of  the  militias  commence  from  the  day 
of  their  marching  from  home;  and  that  they  be  allowed 
one  penny  a  mile,  lawful  money,  in  heu  of  rations  for 
travelling  expenses,  and  one  day's  pay  for  every  twenty 
miles  between  home  and  the  general  rendezvous  going 
and  returning. 

That  two  Provincial  Brigadiers-General  be  employed 
in  the  Canada  department;  one  from  Massachusetts-Bay, 
and  one  from  Connecticut. 

That  four  Provincial  Brigadiers-General  be  employed 
in  the  New- York  department ;  one  from  Massachusetts- 
Bay,  one  from  Connecticut,  one  from  New- York,  and  one 
from  New  Jersey. 

That  three  Provincial  Brigadiers-General  be  employed 
for  the  flying  camp;  two  from  Pennsylvania,  and  one 
from  Maryland. 

That  the  said  Brigadiers-General  be  appointed  by  the 
respective  Colonies  above  mentioned. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  earnestly  recommended  to  the  As- 
semblies, Conventions,  and  Committees  of  Safety,  in  the 
United  Colonies,  to  fall  upon  the  most  effectual  means 
for  removing  the  stocks,  grain,  and  meal,  from  such  parts 
of  their  respective  Colonies  as  are  invaded,  or  are  in  im- 
minent danger  of  being  invaded  by  the  enemy. 

That  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Colony  of  Massachu- 
setts-Bay, the  Governor  and  Assembly  of  Connecticut, 
the  Conventions  of  New  York  and  New  Jerse3^  and  the 
Conventions  of  such  other  of  the  United  Colonies,  in 
which  there  are  any  lead  mines,  be  requested  to  transmit 
to  Congress,  with  all  convenient  dispatch,  the  state  and 
condition  of  the  lead  mines  in  their  respective  Colonies, 
and  use  the  most  speedy  means  to  procure  their  being 
wrought  to  effect. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes. 

Charles  Thomson,  Sec." 


"June 


449 


"  June  4,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recomraened  to  the  Assemblies  and 
Conventions  of  the  Colonies  requested  to  supply  or  fur- 
nish militias  by  the  resolutions  of  yesterday,  to  take 
particular  care  that  their  militias  come  provided  with 
arms,  accoutrements,  and  camp-kettles. 

By  order  of  Congress. 

John  Hancock, 

President 

A  letter  was  also  laid  before  the  Congress  from  his 
Excellency  GeneralWashington,  earnestly  recommending 
that  the  above  resolutions  respecting  the  Militia  of  New 
Jersey  be  immediately  carried  into  effect;  whereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Dickinson,  Mr.  Sergeant,  Mr.  Clark, 
Mr.  Frelinghuysen,  Mr.  Mehelm,  Mr.  Ellis,  Mr.  Elmer, 
Mr.  Cook,  and  Mr.  Covenhoven,  be  a  Committee  to  de- 
vise ways  and  means  for  carrying  the  said  resolutions 
into  immediate  effect. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


Wednesday,  June  12. 

Met  according  to  adjournment,  and  opened  with  prayer, 
pursuant  to  the  standing  order  of  the  House. 

Resolved,  unanimously.  That  in  all  divisions  upon  any 
question,  if  any  member  move  to  insert  the  yeas  and 
nays  on  the  Minutes,  and  is  seconded,  the  same  shall  be 
inserted.  . 

On  motion, 

That  not  less  than  two-thirds  of  the  deputies  of  this 
Congress  be  a  quorum  or  body  sufficient  to  do  business ; 
the  same  was  carried  in  the  negative  as  follows : 


30 


Yeas — 


450 


Yeas — 
Mr.  Drummond, 
Allen, 
Hart, 

Dickinson, 
Taylor. 

Nays — 

Mr.  Abrah'm  Clark, 
Condict, 
Paterson, 
Witherspoon, 
Hardenbergh, 
Mehelm, 
Josiah  Holmes, 
Elijah  Clark, 
Hugg, 
Ellis, 
Elmer, 


Covenhoven, 

Holmes, 

Mott, 

Sparks, 

Cooper, 


Cook, 

Woodhull, 

Ayers, 

Harris, 

Boweu, 

Hughes, 

Hand, 

Learning, 

Savage, 

Hathorn, 

Bloomfield, 


Demarest, 
Post, 

Van  Boskirk, 
Quackenbush. 


Green, 

Frelinghuysen, 

Sergeant, 

Combs, 

Martin, 

Shaver, 

Potts, 

Van  Carapen, 

Symmes, 

Sinnickson. 


Resolved,  That  a  majority  of  the  members  elected  be 
always  a  quorum  sufficient  to  transact  any  business. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  letter  from  the  Honourable  President  Hancock,  was 
read,  inclosing  a  resolution  of  the  Continental  Congress 
of  the  11th  instant,  and  urging  to  dispatch  in  forwarding 
the  Militia. 


Richard  Smith,  Esquire,  one  of  the  Delegates,  for  this 
Colony,  in  the  Continental  Congress,  asking  leave  to 
resign  his  seat  there  on  account  of  indisposition; 

Ordered,  That  his  resignation  be  accepted. 

A  memorial  from  Azariah  Dunham,  Esquire,  request- 
ing the  appointment  of  commissary  and  paymaster  to 
the  troops  about  to  be  raised  in  this  Colony  for  the  conti- 
nental service;  was  read  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A 


451 


A  memorial  from  the  commissioners  of  the  Western 
Division  respecting  the  procuring  tents,  &c.,  was  read, 
and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  letter  from  the  Honourable  Edmund  Pendleton, 
Esquire,  President  of  the  Convention  of  Virginia,  inclos- 
ing the  resolutions  of  the  said  Convention  respecting  the 
independence  of  these  Colonies;  read,  and  ordered  to  be 
filed. 

A  letter  from  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New  York, 
respecting  a  defection  in  Bergen  County  in  this  Colony, 
together  with  some  affidavits  respecting  the  same;  were 
read,  and  ordered  to  be  filed. 

A  letter  from  Colonel  David  Brearley,  of  the  County 
of  Monmouth,  complaining  of  sundry  disaffected  persons 
in  his  regiment ;  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Resolved,  That  Dr.  Roan  be  requested  to  attend  the 
western  company  of  artillery;  and  that  this  Congress 
will  defray  the  expense  of  such  attendance. 

Two  petitions  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  Burlington 
County,  setting  forth,  that  for  certain  reasons  therein 
mentioned,  no  Deputies  were  elected  to  represent  the  said 
County  in  the  Provincial  Congress,  and  praying  that  this 
Congress  would  appoint  a  day  for  the  election  of  Deputies 
in  that  Couniy  ;  read  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  petition  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  the  County  of 
Monmouth,  praying  that  none  of  the  militia  may  be 
taken  out  of  that  County,  as  it  lies  so  exposed  to  hostile 
invasion ;  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Two  petitions  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  the  south 
ward  of  the  city  of  Perth  Araboy,  in  the  County  of  Middle- 
sex, praying  that  the  Government  under  the  King  of 
Great  Britain  may  be  suppressed,  and  that  this  Congress 
would  point  out  and  establish  some  more  suitable  form 
of  Government;  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A 


452 


A  petition  from  sundrj'  inhabitants  of  the  County  of 
Hunterdon,  setting  forth  that  John  Allen,  Esquire,  was 
elected  a  Deputy  for  that  County  to  serve  in  Provincial 
Congress,  and  praying  that  his  election  may,  for  reasons 
therein  mentioned,  be  vacated ;  read,  and  ordered  a  sec- 
ond reading. 

Adjourned  till  eight  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Thursday,  June  13. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

John  De  Hart,  Esquire,  one  of  the  Delegates  in  Conti- 
nental Congress,  asking  leave  to  resign  liis  seat  on  ac- 
count of  the  situation  of  his  family  and  affairs; 

Ordered,  That  his  resignation  be  accepted. 

A  petition  from  sundry  persons  in  Captain  Maitland's 
company,  in  the  Township  of  Alexandria,  and  County  of 
Hunterdon,  praying  that  the  petitioners  may,  for  reasons 
therein  mentioned,  be  taken  from  the  said  company  and 
annexed  to  a  company  in  Greenwich,  in  the  County  of 
Sussex ;  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  Committee  to  whom  were  referred  the  Resolutions 
of  the  Continental  Congress  for  detaching  the  militia, 
made  report;  which  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second 
reading. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Two  petitions  from  the  inhabitants  of  Somerset  County, 
praying  that  a  bounty  may  be  offered  to  induce  the 
militia  to  turn  out  as  volunteers,  and  that  the  expense 
thereon  arising  may  be  defrayed  by  assessments  on  the 
ratable  estates  of  the  inhabitants  in  general;  were  read, 
and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The 


453 


The  report  of  the  Committee  to  whom  were  referred 
the  Resolutions  of  the  Continental  Congress,  &c.,  read  a 
second  time;  and,  after  some  time  spent  thereon,  recom- 
mitted to  the  same  Committee. 

The  two  petiiions  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  Burling- 
ton County,  pra3''ing  a  day  to  be  appointed  for  the  elec- 
tion of  Deputies,  &c.,  read  a  second  time. 

Whereas,  by  a  late  ordinance  of  the  Provincial  Con- 
gress of  New  Jersey,  it  was  resolved  and  directed,  "  That  all 
"Freeholders  qualified  to  vote  for  Representatives  in 
"  General  Assembly  in  this  Colony,  who  have  signed  the 
"general  association  recommended  by  this  Congress; 
"  and  all  other  persons  of  full  age,  who  immediately  pre- 
"  ceding  the  election,  shall  have  resided  for  the  space  of 
"  one  year  in  any  County  of  this  Colony,  and  who  are 
"  worth  at  \easi  fifty  pounds,  Proiclamation  money  in  per- 
"  sonal  estate,  and  have  signed  the  general  association  as 
"aforesaid,  shall  be  admitted  to  vote  in  the  County 
"wherein  they  reside  for  Deputies  to  serve  in  Provincial 
"Congress:"  And  by  the  said  ordinance,  the  said  elec- 
tors in  each  County  were  directed  to  meet  on  the  fourth 
Monday  in  May  last,  at  the  particular  places  therein 
mentioned,  and  elect  Deputies  to  serve  in  Provincial 
Congress :  Notwithstanding  which  the  electors  of  the 
County  of  Burlington  neglected  to  elect  such  Deputies 
on  the  day  in  said  ordinance  particularly  prescribed  ; 
and  no  power  being  given  to  the  electors  of  any  County 
wherein  such  negligence  haopened,  to  proceed  to  the 
election  of  Deputies  on  any  other  day,  and  several  of  the 
inhabitants  of  said  County  having  prayed  relief  in  the 
premises :  It  is  therefore  resolved,  That  the  electors  of  the 
County  of  Burlington,  qualified  to  vote  for  Deputies  to 
serve  in  Provincial  Congress  by  virtue  of  said  ordinance, 
do  meet  at  the  Court  House  in  the  city  of  Burlington,  on 
Thursday,  the  twentieth  day  of  this  instant  June,  between 
the  hours  of  ten  in  the  forenoon  and  one  in  the  after- 
noon, of  said  day,  and  proceed  to  the  election  of  Deputies 
to  serve  in  Provincial  Congress;  and  also  of  a  County 
Committee,  pursuant  to  the  directions  of  said  ordinance. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Friday, 


454 


Friday,  June  14. 


Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Committee  to  whom  the  report  of  the  Committee 
upon  the  resolves  of  the  Continental  Congress  was  re- 
committed, made  report  of  the  same;  which  was  read, 
and  being  amended,  was  agreed  to,  and  ordered  to  be 
engrossed. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

On  motion, 

1.  Resolved,  That,  in  the  opinion  of  this  Congress,  the 
Proclamation  of  William  Franklin,  Esquire,  late  Gov- 
ernor of  New  Jersey,  bearing  date  on  the  thirtieth  day  of 
May  last  in  tlie  name  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  ap- 
pointing a  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly,  to  be  held 
on  the  twentieth  day  of  this  instant  June,  ought  not  to 
be  obeyed. 

On  the  question, 

The  above  resolution  passed  as  follows : 


Yeas — 

Mr.  A.  Clark,  Covenhoven, 


Hathorn, 

Bloomfield, 

Wetherill, 

Dunn, 

Sergeant, 

Combs, 

Martin, 

Shaver, 

Van  Campen, 

Symmes,' 

Sinnickson, 

John  Holme. 


Condict,  Mott, 

Drake,  Sparks, 

Cook,  Cooper, 

Woodhull,  E.  Clark, 

Green,  Hugg, 

Frelinghuysen,  Ellis, 

Paterson,  Elmer, 

Witherspoon,  Ayers, 

Hardenbergh,  Harris, 

Linn,  Bowen, 

Hart,  Hand, 

Mehelm,  Leaming, 


Nays — 


455 


Na3's — 

Mr.  Drummond, 
Dickinson, 
Allen, 


Hughes, 

Savage, 

Deraarest, 


Van  Bosk  irk, 

Brown, 

Potts. 


Joseph  Holmes,  Post, 
Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  petition  of  sundry  inhabitants  of  the  north  ward  of 
the  city  of  Perth  Araboy,  praying  that  the  government 
of  the  Province  of  New  Jersey  may  not  be  changed  :  as 
also  a  petition  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  the  township 
of  Shrewsbury,  in  the  County  of  Monmouth,  to  the  same 
effect;  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

On  motion, 

^.  Resolved,  That,  in  the  opinion  of  this  Congress,  the 
said  William  Franklin,  Esquire,  by  such  proclamation, 
has  acted  in  direct  contempt  and  violation  of  the  resolve 
of  the  Continental  Congress  of  the  fifteenth  day  of  May 
last ; 

On  the  question. 

The  said  resolution  passed  as  follows : 


Saturday,  June  16. 


Yeas — 

Mr.  A.  Clark,  Drake, 


Woodhull, 

Green, 

Sergeant, 

Combs, 

Demarest, 

Post, 

Quackenbush, 

Martin, 

Shaver, 

Van  Campen, 

Sj'mmes, 

Sinnickson, 

Holme. 


Condict,  Cook, 

Frelinghuysen,  Cooper, 

Paterson,  Hugg, 

Witherspoon,  Ellis, 

Hardenbergh,  Elmer, 

Linn,  Harris, 

Hart,  Bowen, 

Me  helm.  Hand. 

Coveiihoven,  Leaming, 

Mott,  Hathorn, 

Josiah  Holmes,  Bloomfield, 

Elijah  Clark,  Wetherill, 

Sparks,  Dunn. 


Nays — 


456 


Nays — 
Mr.  Drummond, 
Dickinson, 
Allen, 
Taylor, 


Joseph  Holmes,  Van  Boskirk, 
Hughes,  Brown, 
Savage,  Potts. 


On  motion, 

3.  Resolved,  That,  in  the  opinion  of  this  Congress,  the 
said  William  J^'ranklin,  Esquire,  has  discovered  himself 
to  be  an  enemy  to  the  liberties  of  this  country ;  and  that 
measures  ought  to  be  immediately  taken  for  securing  the 
person  of  the  said  William  Franklin,  Esquire  : 

On  the  question. 

The  said  resolution  passed  as  follows : 


"yens 

Mr.  A.  Clark, 
Camp, 
Condict, 
Drake, 
Cook, 
Woodhull, 
Green, 

Frelinghuysen, 

Paterson, 

Witherspoon, 

Hardenbergh, 

Linn, 

Hart, 

Mehelm, 

Nays — 
Mr.  Drummond, 
Dickinson, 
Allen, 
Taylor, 


Covenhoven, 
Mott, 

Josiah  Holmes, 

Sparks, 

Cooper, 

E.  Clark, 

Hugg, 

Ellis, 

Elmer, 

Harris, 

Bowen, 

Hand, 

Leaming, 

Savage, 


Hathorn, 

Bloomfield, 

Wetherill, 

Dunn, 

Sergeant, 

Combs, 

Demarest, 

Quackenbush, 

Martin, 

Shaver, 

Van  Campen, 

Symmes, 

Sinnickson, 

John  Holme. 


Joseph  Holmes,  Van  Boskirk, 
Hughes,  Brown, 
Post,  Potts. 


On  motion, 

4-.  Resolved,  That,  in  the  opinion  of  this  Congress,  all 
payments  of  money  on  account  of  salary,  or  otherwise, 
to  the  said  William  Franklin,  Esquire,  as  Governor, 

ought 


457 


ought  from  henceforth  to  cease;  and  that  the  Treasurers 
of  this  Province  shall  account  for  the  moneys  in  their 
hands  to  this  Congress,  or  to  the  future  Legislature  of 
this  Colony. 

On  the  question, 

The  said  resolution  passed  as  follows: 
Yeas — 

Mr.  Abrah'm  Clark,  Joseph  Holmes,  Bloomfield, 


Camp, 

Mott, 

Wetherill, 

Condict, 

Josiah  Holmes, 

Dunn, 

Drake, 

Sparks, 

Sergeant, 

Cook, 

Cooper, 

Combs, 

Woodhull, 

Clark, 

Demarest, 

Frelinghuysen, 

Hugg, 

Post, 

Paterson, 

Ellis, 

Van  Boskirk, 

Witherspoon, 
Hardenbergh, 

Elmer, 

Quackenbush, 

Harris, 

Martin, 

Linn, 

Bowen, 
Hughes, 

Shaver, 

Dickinson, 

Van  Campen, 

Hart, 

Hand, 

Symraes, 

Mehelm, 

Leaming, 

Sinnickson, 
John  Holme. 

Taylor, 

Savage, 

Covenhoven, 

Hathorn, 

Nays — 

Mr.  Allen,  Brown,  Potts. 

John  Zabriskie,  of  Bergen  County,  desiring  leave  to 
resign  his  commission  as  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  bat- 
talion in  that  County  ; 

Ordered,  That  his  resignation  be  accepted. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  order  do  issue  to  Colonel 
Nathaniel  Heard,  of  the  first  battalion  of  Middlesex 
County: 

The  Provincial  Congress  of  New  Jersey,  reposing  great 
confidence  in  your  zeal  and  prudence,  have  thought  fit 
to  entrust  to  your  care  the  execution  of  the  enclosed 
resolves.    It  is  the  desire  of  Congress  that  this  necessary 

business 


458 


business  be  conducted  with  all  the  delicacy  and  tender- 
ness which  the  nature  of  the  business  can  possibly  admit. 
For  this  end  you  will  find  among  the  papers  the  form  of 
a  written  parole,  in  which  there  is  left  a  blank  space  for 
you  to  fill  up,  at  the  choice  of  Mr.  Franklin,  with  the 
name  of  Princeton,  Bordentown,  or  his  own  farm  at 
Rancocus.  When  he  shall  have  signed  the  parole,  the 
Congress  will  rely  upon  his  honour  for  the  faithful  per- 
formance of  his  engagements  ;  but  should  he  refuse  to 
sign  the  parole,  you  are  desired  to  put  him  under  strong 
guard,  and  keep  him  in  close  custody,  until  the  further 
order  of  this  Congress.  Whatever  expense  may  be  neces- 
sary for  this  service  will  be  cheerfully  defrayed  by  the 
Consfress.  We  refer  to  your  discretion  what  means  to 
use  for  that  purpose ;  and  you  have  full  power  and 
authority  to  take  to  your  aid  whatever  force  you  may 
require. 

John  Hart,  Esq.,  was  elected  Vice  President. 
Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  sufficient  number  not  attending  to  proceed  on  busi- 
ness, adjourned  to  Monday  morning,  ten  o'clock. 

Monday,  June  17. 

Met  according  to  adjournment,  and  a  few  only  of  the 
members  attending,  adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  petition  from  the  Township  Committee  of  Windsor, 
in  the  County  of  Middlesex,  praying  that  a  new  mode  of 
government  may  be  established,  that  men  above  fifty 
may  bear  an  equal  burden,  &c.,  was  read,  and  ordered  a 
second  reading. 


Mr. 


459 


Mr.  Ellis,  Mr.  Clark,  and  Mr.  Camp,  having  resigned 
their  office  as  Commissioners  ; 

Ordered,  That  their  resignations  be  accepted. 

Mr.  Ellis  having  resigned  his  office  of  Paymaster  and 
Commissary  for  the  company  of  artillery  in  West  Jersey  ; 
Ordered,  That  his  resignation  be  accepted. 

Ordered,  That  John  Ross,  of  Woodbridge,  and  Isaac 
AVoodrufF,  of  Elizabethtown,  be  Commissioners  for  the 
Eastern  Division,  in  the  room  of  Mr.  Clark  and  Mr. 
Camp,  in  order  to  purchase  tents,  canteens,  &c.,  and  that 
David  Pinkerton,  of  Trenton,  be  a  Commissioner  for  the 
Western  Division  in  the  room  of  Mr.  Ellis. 

A  memorial  from  the  Western  Commissioners,  ap- 
pointed to  procure  tents,  &c.,  was  read  a  second  time. 

Whereas  the  Commissioners  appointed  to  purchase 
tents  and  camp  equipage,  were  restricted  in  the  price, 
and,  from  their  memorial  now  before  this  Congress,  it 
appears  that  they  are  at  loss  to  determine  what  was  in- 
tended to  be  comprised  under  the  terms  camp-eguipage  ; 
It  is  therefore  resolved  unanimously,  That  the  said  Commis- 
sioners immediately  purchase  on  the  most  reasonable 
terms  they  can,  four  hundred  tents,  two  thousand  knap- 
sacks, two  thousand  haversacks,  and  two  thousand  can- 
teens, together  with  the  six  hundred  and  sixty  camp 
kettles,  ordered  by  the  resolve  of  this  Congress,  bearing 
date  the  fourteenth  day  of  this  instant  June. 

Ordered,  That  Benjamin  Holme,  of  the  County  of  Sa- 
lem, be  Paymaster  and  Commissary  for  the  Company  of 
Artillery  in  West  Jersey,  in  the  room  of  Mr.  Ellis,  who 
has  resigned. 

A  petition  from  the  inhabitants  of  Maidenhead,  in  the 
County  of  Hunterdon,  praying  that  a  new  mode  of  gov- 
ernment may  be  established  ;  that  all  future  elections  be 
annual  and  by  ballot;  that  the  doors  of  Congress  be  kept 

open 


460 


open  except  in  cases  where  secrecy  is  necessary,  &c.,  was 
read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  remonstrance  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  the  County 
of  Burlington,  complaining  of  the  extravagant  price  of 
goods,  &c.,  and  praying  relief;  read,  and  ordered  a  second 
reading. 

Pursuant  to  a  certificate  of  election  : 

Ordered,  That  the  following  persons  be  commissioned 
as  officers  in  a  company  of  militia  in  the  County  of  Hun- 
terdon, in  the  battalion  whereof  Isaac  Smith,  Esquire,  is 
Colonel,  to  wit:  John  Hunt,  Captain,  Henry  Mershon, 
First  Lieutenant,  Ralph  Lanning,  Second  Lieutenant, 
Ely  Moore,  Ensign. 

Ordered,  That  on  Friday  next,  in  the  forenoon,  this 
Congress  will  consider  the  propriety  of  forming  a  gov- 
ernment;  will  draught  instructions  for  the  Delegates  in 
Continental  Congress ;  and  will  elect  Delegates  to  repre- 
sent this  Colony  in  said  Congress. 

The  petition  from  sundry  persons  in  Captain  Mait- 
land's  Company,  in  Hunterdon  County,  read  a  second 
time ;  whereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  several  persons  included  within  the 
boundaries  of  the  road  from  Dunlap's  Ferry  and  the  Hell 
Town  road  over  Musconetcunk  on  the  south  and  east, 
and  the  river  Delaware  and  Musconetcunk  on  the  north 
and  west,  be  added  to  the  company  late  of  Captain  An- 
drew Sprowle,  in  Sussex  County,  on  account  of  their  par- 
ticular situation. 

On  reading  a  second  time  the  memorial  of  Colonel 
David  Brearley,  respecting  certain  disaffected  persons  in 
Monmouth  County;  and  the  letter  from  the  President  of 
the  Provincial  Congress  in  New  York,  stating  the  circum- 
stances of  a  defection  in  Bergen  County,  &c. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  referred  to  Colonel  Dick, 

Mr. 


461 


Mr.  Sergeant,  Mr.  Symmes,  Colonel  Covenhoven  and  Mr. 
Brown. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


Tuesday,  June  18. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  letter  from  Colonel  Heard,  of  the  17th  instant,  read, 
and  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit : 

To  Samuel  Tucker,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Provincial  Congress 
at  Burlington,  per  express. 

Sir: — Agreeably  to  an  order  and  resolve  of  the  Prov- 
incial Congress,  lately  sent  me,  I  this  morning,  with 
Major  Deare,  went  to  Governor  Franklin,  and  desired 
him  to  comply  with  the  order  of  Congress,  and  sign  the 
parole  sent  me,  which  he  absolutely  refused  to  do,  and 
forbid  me,  at  my  peril,  to  carry  the  order  into  execution. 
We  then  left  the  Governor's  house,  and  ordered  a  com- 
pany of  militia,  which  were  in  readiness,  to  attend,  and 
have  placed  a  guard  of  about  sixty  men  at  and  around 
his  house.  I  expect  he  will  persist  in  refusing  to  com- 
ply and  therefore  send  this  per  express,  and  beg  the  fur- 
ther directions  of  the  Congress  respecting  this  matter,  as 
soon  as  possible,  by  return  of  the  bearer,  and  shall  act 
accordingly. 

I  am,  in  great  haste, 

Sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

Nathaniel  Heard. 

Amboy,  June  17, 1776. 

Ordered  unanimously,  That  a  copy  of  the  following  let- 
ter be  signed  by  the  President,  and  sent  to  Colonel 
Heard: 

Sir: — It  is  the  desire  of  Congress,  that  you  immedi- 
ately bring  William  Franklin,  Esquire,  to  this  place,  un- 
der such  guard  as  you  may  think  sufficient. 

Ordered 


462 


Ordered  unanimously,  That  a  copy  of  tlie  following  let- 
ter be  signed  by  the  President,  and  sent  to  the  Honour- 
able John  Hancock,  Esq  ,  President  of  the  Continental 
Congress  : 

Sir  : — Our  Colony  has  of  late  been  alarmed  with  sun- 
dry attempts  of  disaffected  persons  to  create  disturbances. 
The  proclamation  of  Mr.  Franklin,  our  late  Governor, 
for  calling  together  the  Assembly,  is  one  of  these  which 
we  have  thought  deserving  the  most  serious  attention. 
Enclosed  we  have  sent  a  copy  of  certain  resolves,  which 
we  have  thought  necessary  to  pass  on  the  occasion ;  to- 
gether with  a  copy  of  our  instructions  to  Colonel  Heard. 

We  this  minute  received  by  express  from  Colonel 
Heard,  a  letter,  of  which  the  enclosed  is  a  copy.  We 
have  ordered  down  to  this  place  Mr.  Franklin  under 
guard;  and  now  beg  leave  to  submit  to  the  consideration 
of  the  Congress,  whether  it  would  not  be  for  the  general 
good  of  the  United  Colonies,  that  Mr.  Franklin  should 
be  removed  to  some  other  Colony;  Congress  will  easily 
conceive  the  reasons  of  this  application,  as  Mr.  Franklin, 
we  presume,  would  be  capable  of  doing  less  mischief  in 
Connecticut  or  Pennsylvania  than  in  New  Jersey.  What- 
ever advice  Congress  may  think  proper  to  give  us,  we 
shall  be  glad  to  receive;  and  would  further  intimate 
that  the  countenance  and  approbation  of  the  Continental 
Congress  would  satisfy  some  persons,  who  might  other- 
wise be  disposed  to  blame  us. 

The  enclosed  printed  papers  will  shew  what  steps  we 
have  taken  with  respect  to  the  militia. 

Ordered,  That  Cornelius  Blanchard  be  Brigade  Major 
for  the  eastern  division  of  New  Jersey,  and  be  commis- 
sioned accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissioners  immediately  pur- 
chase one  or  more  ammunition  waggons,  for  the  use  of 
each  of  the  artillery  companies  of  this  Colony. 

Ajourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Memorial 


463 


Memorial  from  the  County  Committee  of  Hunterdon, 
respecting  certain  disaffected  persons  in  that  County  ; 
read,  and  referred  to  the  Committee  for  considering  the 
memorial  of  Col.  David  Brearley,  &c. 

Henry  Hand,  Esq.,  Liuetenant  Colonel  of  the  battalion 
of  Cape  May,  having  resigned  his  commission, 
Ordered,  That  his  resignation  be  accepted. 

Eli  Eld  ridge,  Esq.,  First  Major  of  the  same  battalion, 
having  resigned  his  commission. 

Ordered,  That  his  resignation  be  accepted. 

Thomas  Learning,  Esq.,  Adjutant  of  the  same  battal- 
ion, having  resigned  his  commission. 

Ordered,  That  his  resignation  be  accepted. 

Pursuant  to  a  certificate  of  election. 

Ordered,  That  the  following  persons  be  commissioned 
as  officers  in  a  company  of  light  infantrj',  in  the  Town- 
ship of  Middletown,  County  of  Monmouth,  to  wit:  John 
Burrowes,  Jun.,  Captain,  Jonathan  Forman,  First  Lieu- 
tenant, James  Whitlock,  Second  Lieutenant,  Samuel  Car- 
hart,  Third  Lieutenant. 

The  petition  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  Hunterdon 
County,  praying  the  election  of  John  Allen,  Esq.,  for  cer- 
tain reasons,  to  be  vacated,  &c. ;  read  a  second  time; 

On  the  question. 

Whether  the  prayer  of  the  said  petition  be  granted? 
It  passed  in  the  negative, 

James  Mott,  Second  Major  of  the  second  battalion  of 
foot  militia,  in  Monmouth  County,  having  resigned  his 
commission, 

Ordered,  That  his  resignation  be  accepted. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


Wednesday, 


464 


Wednesday,  June  19. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Agreeable  to  certificate  of  election, 

Ordered,  That  William  Tucker  be  Captain,  John  Fitch, 
First  Lieutenant,  Isaiah  Yard,  Second  Lieutenant,  and 
Joseph  Clunn,  Ensign,  of  a  company  in  Trenton,  in  the 
County  of  Hunterdon,  whereof  Isaac  Smith,  Esq.,  is 
Colonel. 

A  petition  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  the  Township  of 
Shrewsbury,  in  Monmouth  County,  praying  that  no  new 
mode  of  government  may  be  established ;  that  the  pres- 
ent may  continue,  as  being  sufficient  for  the  exigency  of 
our  affairs;  and  that  no  measures  may  be  adopted  that 
tend  to  separate  this  Colony  from  Great  Britain;  was 
read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading, 

A  petition  from  the  south  ward  of  New  Brunswick, 
praying  that  a  new  government  be  established;  and  that 
a  speedy  and  absolute  independence  upon  Great  Britain 
be  proclaimed,  &c. ;  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  petition  from  the  Committee  of  Tewkesbury  and 
Readingtown,  in  Hunterdon  County,  praying  that  the 
bounty  offered  by  a  late  resolve  of  this  Congress,  in  order 
to  induce  the  militia  to  turn  out,  may  be  augmented ; 
read,  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 

The  Committee  of  the  north  ward  of  the  City  of  Perth 
Amboy,  having  transmitted  to  this  Congress  an  appraise- 
ment of  arms,  taken  from  the  non-associators  within 
their  bounds ; 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  filed. 

The  Committee  to  whom  were  referred  the  memorials 
and  representations  respecting  certain  disaffected  per- 
sons in  the  Counties  of  Monmouth,  Hunterdon,  Bergen, 
and  Sussex,  made  report,  and,  after  sundry  amendments, 


465 


the  same  was  agreed  to,  and  the  Congress  came  to  sun- 
dry resolutions  thereupon,  which  are  as  follow,  viz.: 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  tlie  County  Committee 
of  Sussex,  to  take  order  v/ith  the  persons  who  liave  been 
charged  with  behaving  in  a  disorderly  manner  in  that 
County;  and  that  they  be  empowered  to  punish  the  de- 
linquents according  as  the  case  may  require,  not  exceed- 
ing fine  and  imprisonment. 

Resolved,  That  the  affidavits  transmitted  to  this  Con- 
gress, by  the  President  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of 
New  York,  respecting  a  supposed  defection  in  the  County 
of  Bergen,  be  transmitted  to  the  Committee  of  that 
County;  and  that  they  be  directed  immediately  to  ex- 
amine strictly  into  the  truth  of  the  case,  and  report  their 
proceedings  to  this  Congress  as  speedily  as  possible. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  persons,  Richard  Robins 
and  Moses  Ivins,  of  the  County  of  Monmouth,  and  John 
Vaught,  Frederick  Fritz,  George  Updike,  and  William 
Rittenhouse,  of  the  County  of  Hunterdon,  be  required  to 
attend  this  Congress,  on  Tuesday,  the  twenty-fifth  day 
of  this  instant  June,  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  and 
that  the  President  employ  persons  to  serve  the  sum- 
monses. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Pursuant  to  certificate  of  election, 

Ordered  unanimously,  That  David  Cliambers,  Esquire, 
be  Colonel,  Thomas  Lowrey,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and 
Cornelius  Stout,  Second  Major,  of  the  Third  battalion  of 
foot  militia  in  the  County  of  Hunterdon. 

A  petition  from  part  of  Captain  John  Phillips'  com- 
pany, in  the  Third  battalion  of  Hunterdon,  praying  that 
the  said  company  may  be  joined  to  the  First  battalion  ; 
read,  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 

The  memorial  of  William  Nathaniel  French,  setting 
forth,  that  the  estate  of  his  father  and  family,  of  whom 

he 

31 


466 


he  is  the  representative,  lies  in  England  and  the  Island 
of  Barbadoes,  and  lest  the  same  may  be  forfeited,  pray- 
ing that  lie  may  be  exempted  from  all  military  calls, 
associations,  &c. ;  read,  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 

Whereas,  some  doubts  have  arisen  whether  the  late 
ordinance  of  the  Provincial  Congress,  directing  a  bounty 
of  one  Shilling  a  Pound  to  be  paid  for  all  merchantable 
saltpetre  manufactured  in  this  Province,  should  be  al- 
lowed on  any  saltpetre  unless  in  those  cases  where  the 
same  was  purchased  by  the  respective  Committees ;  for  re- 
moving which  doubts, 

Resolved,  That  the  aforesaid  bounty  be  paid  for  all  salt- 
petre manufactured  in  this  Colony,  upon  the  proof,  and 
under  the  limitations  in  the  said  ordinance  directed, 
whether  the  same  be  sold  in  this  or  any  other  Colony. 

Ordered^  That  Dr.  Thomas  Ewing  be  appointed  Sur- 
geon to  the  battalion  directed  to  be  raised  in  the  Coun- 
ties of  Burlington,  Gloucester,  Cumberland  and  Salem, 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  Silas  Newcomb. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissioners  for  the  company  of 
artillery  in  West  Jersey,  immediately  purchase  the  fol- 
lowing articles,  for  the  use  of  said  company,  viz. : 

Powder,     .        .        -        .        GOO  weight. 

Cannon  ball,    -        -        -       -     500  ditto. 

Double  headed  and  grape  shot,  -  1500  ditto. 

Lead,       -  -  -       -        600  ditto. 

Knapsacks  and  haversacks,  sixty-four  of  each  ;  intrench- 
ing tools,  spades  and  shovels,  twenty ;  hoes,  six ;  two 
worms;  four  rammers  and  spunges;  four  handspikes, 
capped  with  iron. 

A  sufficient  quantity  of  coarse  oznabrigs,  or  crocus,  for 
making  up  cartridges  with  grape  shot;  three  dozen  canis- 
ters for  the  same  purpose;  six  hundred  tubes,  ready 
filled ;  and  a  sufficient  quantity  of  port-fires,  tube-boxes, 
and  boxes  for  transportation  of  cartridges. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Thursday, 


467 


Thursday,  June  20. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Pursuant  to  certificate  of  election  from  the  Committee 
of  Saloin,  prior  to  the  Militia  Ordinance, 

Ordered,  That  Samuel  Dick,  Esq.,  be  Colonel,  Whitton 
Cripps,  Esq.,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  William  Mecura,  Esq., 
First  Major,  and  Edward  Hall,  Esq.,  Second  Major,  of 
the  western  battalion  of  the  said  County,  and  that  they 
be  commissioned  accordingly. 

A  letter  from  President  Hancock,  of  the  nineteenth 
instant,  was  read ;  together  with  a  resolve  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress,  in  the  words  following,  viz. : 

"  In  Congress,  June  19,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Convention  of 
New  Jersey,  to  proceed  on  the  examination  of  Mr.  Frank- 
lin ;  and  if,  upon  such  examination,  they  shall  be  of 
opinion  that  he  should  be  confined,  to  report  such  opinion 
to  this  Congress,  and  then  this  Congress  will  direct  the 
place  of  his  confinement,  they  concurring  in  sentiment 
with  the  Convention  of  New  Jersey,  that  it  would  be  im- 
proper to  confine  him  in  that  Colony. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes. 

Cha.  Thomson, 

Sec." 

Adjourned  to  six  o'clock,  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  certificate  of  election  for  Members  of  Congress  for 
the  County  of  Burlington ;  read,  allowed  and  filed. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


Friday, 


468 


Friday,  June  21. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  petition  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  the  township  of 
Morris,  in  the  County  of  Morris,  praying  that  all  officers 
in  civil  government  may  be  annually  elected  by  the 
people;  that  the  fees  of  all  officers  may  be  as  low  as  pos- 
sible, &c.,  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Ordered,  That  the  President  write  to  General  Living- 
ston, and  inform  him,  that  it  is  the  desire  of  Congress 
that  he  would  take  the  command  of  the  militia  destined 
for  New  York. 

The  Honourable  the  Continental  Congress  having  re- 
solved "That  letters  be  written  to  the  Conventions  of 
"  New  Jersey  and  New  York,  and  to  the  Assembly  of 
"  Connecticut,  recommending  to  them  to  authorize  the 
"  Commander-in-Chief  in  the  Colony  of  New  York,  to  call 
"  to  the  assistance  of  that  Colony,  when  necessity  shall 
"  require  it,  such  of  the  militia  of  those  Colonies  as  may 
"  be  necessary ;  and  to  afford  him  such  other  assistance 
"as  the  situation  of  affairs  may  require:  and  that  it  be 
"further  recommended  to  the  Convention  of  New  York, 
"  to  empower  the  said  Commander-in-Chief,  to  impress 
"carriages  and  water  craft,  when  necessary,  for  the  pub- 
"  lick  service;  and  also  to  remove  ships  and  other  vessels 
"  in  Hudson's  and  the  East  rivers,  for  the  purpose  of 
"  securing  them  from  the  enemy." 

This  Congress,  sensible  of  the  importance  of  securing 
New  York  against  the  attempts  of  the  enemy  to  cut  off 
the  communication  between  the  Eastern  and  Southern 
Colonies ;  and  although  they  have  directed  the  immedi- 
ate raising  of  five  battalions  to  join  the  Continental  army 
for  that  purpose;  yet,  as  it  is  impossible  to  ascertain  the 
number  of  the  enemy,  they  are  of  opinion  that,  in  the 
present  uncertain  state  of  publick  affairs,  the  inhabitants 
of  this  Province  ought,  in  cases  of  extraordinary  danger, 
to  give  all  the  occasional  assistance  in  their  power,  espe- 
ciallj'  as  the  fate  of  America  may  perhaps  depend  upon 
the  issue  of  this  summer's  campaign,  do  resolve,  that  in 

case 


4G9 


case  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Continental  forces  at 
New  York,  upon  the  arrival  of  British  troops,  shall  stand 
in  need  of  the  aid  of  the  militia  of  this  Colony,  that  he 
be  authorized  to  call  for  the  same,  by  applying  to  one  of 
the  Brigadiers  General,  or  the  Colonels  of  militia.  And 
the  said  militia,  upon  such  request,  are  desired  immedi- 
ately to  march  to  the  defence  of  the  parts  invaded,  or 
threatened  with  an  immediate  invasion.  And  all  such 
of  the  militia  as,  upon  the  requisition  of  the  Comman- 
der-in-Chief, shall  march  to  the  defence  of  any  place  in 
danger,  shall  be  entitled  to  the  same  pay  and  subsistence 
as  are  allowed  to  the  Continental  forces,  and  shall  not  be 
detained  in  such  service  more  than  one  month  from  the 
time  of  their  marching.  This  Congress,  from  experience 
of  the  zeal  and  alacrity  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  Colony, 
to  step  forward  for  the  defence  of  America  on  all  former 
occasions,  are  persuaded  that  this  request  from  their 
representatives,  arising  from  pure  necessity,  will  be  most 
cheerfully  complied  with,  and  the  honor  and  safety  of 
the  Colony  thereby  maintained. 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  the  above  resolution  be  trans- 
mitted to  General  Washington ;  and  that  the  same  be 
published  in  the  newspapers. 

Ordered,  unanimously,  That  Doctor  Melancthon  Free- 
man, be  appointed  Surgeon,  and  Mr.  Benjamin  Stockton, 
Surgeon's  Mate,  to  the  battalion  directed  to  be  raised  in 
the  Counties  of  Middlesex  and  Monmouth. 

A  petition  from  John  Reynolds  and  George  Eiche, 
papermakers  in  Germantown,  Pennsylvania,  setting  forth, 
that  they  designed  to  carry  on  their  trade  in  this  Colony, 
and  praying  that  this  Congress  would  encourage  the 
same;  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  petition  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  the  county  of 
Burlington,  setting  forth,  that  great  expense  will  necessa- 
rily attend  recruiting  the  men  directed  to  be  raised  by 
an  ordinance  of  the  fourteenth  instant;  and  praying 
that  the  men  may  be  subsisted  and  paid  from  the  time 
of  enlistment ;  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

William 


470 


William  Franklin,  Esq.,  late  Governor  of  this  Province, 
having  been  brought  before  tliis  Congress,  pusuant  to  an 
order  for  that  purpose,  to  be  examined  touching  such 
parts  of  his  conduct  as  were  deemed  inimical  to  the  lib- 
erties of  America,  Mr.  Franklin  refused  to  answer  the 
questions  put  to  him,  denying  the  authority  of  this 
body,  which  he  alleged  had  usurped  the  king's  govern- 
ment in  this  Province. 

As  the  said  William  Franklin,  by  this  and  his  former 
conduct,  in  many  instances,  appears  to  be  a  virulent 
enemy  to  this  country,  and  a  person  that  may  prove 
dangerous  ;  therefore,  it  is 

Unanimously  resolved,  That  the  said  William  Franklin 
be  confined  in  such  place  and  manner  as  the  Honoura- 
ble Continental  Congress  shall  direct. 

Ordered,  That  the  President  write  to  the  Continental 
Congress  enclosing  the  above  resolves,  and  the  questions 
that  were  put  to  Mr.  Franklin. 

Resolved,  That  Lieutenant  Colonel  Bowes  Read  keep 
under  safe  guard  the  person  of  William  Franklin,  Esq., 
until  the  lurther  order  of  this  Congress;  and  that  the 
President  sign  an  order  for  this  purpose. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon, 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  petition  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  Burlington 
County,  setting  forth,  that  great  expense  will  necessarily 
attend  the  recruiting  the  men  directed  to  be  raised  by  an 
ordinance  of  the  fourteenth  instant;  and  praying  that 
the  men  may  be  subsisted  and  paid  from  the  time  of  en- 
listment; was  read  a  second  time,  referred  to  Mr.  Dick, 
Mr.  Ellis  and  Mr.  Symmes. 

Four  petitions  from  the  Township  of  Middletown  and 
Shrewsbury,  in  the  County  of  Monmouth,  praying  that 
the  government  of  the  Province  of  New  Jersey  may  not 
be  changed,  &c.,  read. 

Two  petitions  from  the  Township  of  Freehold,  in  the 

County 


471 


County  of  Monmouth,  praying  that  this  Congress  will 
immediately  establish  such  mode  of  government  as  shall 
be  equal  to  the  present  exigencies  of  this  Colony,  and 
fully  coincide  with  the  resolve  of  the  Honourable  Con- 
nental  Congress  of  the  15th  of  May  last;  were  read. 

Pursuant  to  the  order  of  the  day,  the  Congress  went 
into  the  consideration  of  the  propriety  of  forming  a 
government,  &c. ; 

Resolved,  That  a  government  be  formed  for  regulating 
the  internal  police  of  this  Colony,  pursuant  to  the  recom- 
mendation of  the  Continental  Congess  of  the  fifteenth  of 
May  last ; 

On  the  question, 

It  passed  in  the  affirmative  as  follows : 


Yeas — 

Mr.  A.  Clark,  Mott,  Dunn, 

Ogden,  Josiah  Holmes,  Sergeant, 

Camp,  Sparks,  Combs, 

Drummond,  Cooper,  Van  Boskirk, 

Condict,  Elijah  Clark,  Shaver, 

Drake,  Hugg,  Potts, 

Cook,  Ellis,  Van  Campen, 

Woodhull,  Elmer,  Symmes, 

Green,  Ayers,  Sinnickson, 

Frelinghuysen,  Harris,  Holme, 

Paterson,  Bowen,  Shinn, 

Witherspoon,  Hughes,  Cripps, 

Hardenburgh,  Hand,  Dick, 

Linn,  Leaming,  Tallman, 

Hart,  Savage,  Reynolds, 

Mehelm,  Hathorn,  Fennimore, 

Covenhoven,  Bloomfield,  Read, 

Joseph  Holmes,  Wetherill,  Shreve. 

Nays — 

Mr.  Allen,  Taylor,  Brown. 


Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Saturday, 


472 


Saturday,  June  22. 


Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Upon  the  question, 

Whether  one  or  more  Delegates  shall  be  a  sufficient 
number  to  represent  this  Colony  in  Continental  Congress? 
It  was  passed  in  the  affirmative  as  follows,  viz.: 


For  one — 
Mr.  A.Clark, 
Ogden, 
Camp, 
Con  diet, 
Drake, 
Cook, 
Woodhull, 
Green, 

Frelinghuysen, 

Paterson, 

Witherspoon, 

Hardenberg, 

Linn, 

Brown, 

For  more — 

Mr.  Druramond, 
Dickinson, 
Hart, 
Taylor, 


Joseph  Holmes,  Harris, 


Shaver, 
Potts, 

Van  Cam  pen, 

Mehelm, 

Covenhoven, 

E.  Clark, 

Hugg, 

Ellis, 

Hughes, 

Hand, 

Learning, 

Savage, 

Hathorn, 

Bloomfield, 


Mott, 

Josiah  Holmes, 
Cooper, 
Elmer, 


Wetherill, 

Dunn, 

Sergeant, 

Combs, 

Van  Bosk  irk, 

Quackenbush, 

Symmes, 

John  Holme, 

Shinn, 

Cripps, 

Dick, 

Reynolds, 

Shreve. 


Bowen, 
Post, 

Sinnickson, 

Tallman, 

Read. 


Resolved,  That  five  persons  be  elected  to  represent  this 
Colony  in  Continental  Congress,  to  serve  for  one  year, 
unless  a  new  appointment  be  made  before  that  time,  any 
one  of  whom  shall  have  power  to  vote. 

Mr.  Sergeant  having  resigned  his  appointment  as  Dele- 
gate in  the  Continental  Congress  ; 

Ordered,  That  his  resignation  be  accepted. 


Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 


Met 


473 


Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Congress  proceeded  to  the  election  of  Delegates  to 
represent  this  Colony  in  Continental  Congress,  when 
Richard  Stockton,  Abraham  Clark,  John  Hart,  Francis 
Hopkinson,  Esquires,  and  Dr.  John  Witherspoon,  were 
elected  by  ballot  to  serve  for  one  year,  unless  a  new  ap- 
pointment be  made  before  that  time. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  instructions  be  given  to 
the  Delegates  so  elected,  viz. : 

To  Richard  Stockton,  Ahraliam  Clark,  John  Hart,  Francis 
Hopkinson,  Esquires,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  Witherspoon, 
Delegates  appointed  to  represent  the  Colony  of  New  Jersey 
in  Continental  Congress. 

The  Congress  empower  and  direct  you,  in  the  name  of 
the  this  Colony,  to  join  with  the  Delegates  of  the  other 
Colonies  in  Continental  Congress,  in  the  most  vigorous 
measures  for  supporting  the  just  rights  and  liberties  of 
America.  And,  if  you  shall  judge  it  necessary  and  ex- 
pedient for  this  purpose,  we  empower  you  to  join  with 
them  in  declaring  the  United  Colonies  independent  of 
Great  Britain,  entering  into  a  confederacy  for  union  and 
common  defence,  making  treaties  with  foreign  nations 
for  commerce  and  assistance,  and  to  take  such  other  mea- 
sures as  to  them  and  you  may  appear  necessary  for  these 
great  ends,  promising  to  support  them  with  the  whole 
force  of  this  Province  ;  always  observing  that,  whatever 
plan  of  confederacy  you  enter  into,  the  regulating  the 
internal  police  of  this  Province  is  to  be  reserved  to  the 
Colony  Legislature. 

Ordered,  That  Ebenezer  Howell,  of  the  County  of 
Salem,  be  commissioned  as  Major  of  the  battalion  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Newcomb. 

A  petition  from  the  County  Committee  of  Monmouth  ; 
read  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  petition  from  Stafford  Township,  in  Monmouth 
County ;  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A 


474 


A  petition  from  Charles  Loveland  ;  read,  filed,  and  or- 
dered a  second  reading. 

Two  petitions  from  the  Township  of  Woodbridge; 
read,  filed,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Colonel  Borden's  account  for  the  paying  of  Robert 
Quigley's  company ;  read,  filed,  and  ordered  a  second 
reading. 

Adjourned  to  two  o'clock,  on  Monday  next. 


Monday,  June  24. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Two  petitions  from  the  Townships  of  Middletown  and 
Freehold,  in  the  County  of  Monmouth,  praying  that  this 
Congress  would  immediately  establish  such  mode  of  gov- 
ernment as  shall  be  equal  to  the  exigencies  of  this 
Colony,  and  fully  coincide  with  the  resolve  of  the  Hon- 
ourable Continental  Congress  of  the  fifteenth  of  May 
last ;  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  letter  from  the  County  Committee  of  Monmouth, 
enclosing  an  association  signed  by  certain  disaffected 
persons  ;  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  representation  of  the  Count}'  Committee  of  Mon- 
mouth, giving  a  detail  of  Colonel  Forraan  and  the 
minute-men,  seizing  several  disaff"ected  persons  in  that 
county  without  the  express  command  of  the  Committee, 
though  approved  by  them  afterwards  ;  accompanied  with 
an  account  of  the  expense  attending  the  seizure  of  said 
persons;  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Green,  Mr.  Cooper,  Mr.  Sergeant, 
Mr.  Ogden,  Mr.  Elmer,  Mr.  Hughes,  Mr.  Covenhoven, 
Mr.  Symmes,  Mr.  Condict  and  Mr.  Dick,  be  a  Committee 
to  prepare  the  draught  of  a  constitution. 

Ordered,  That  Thomas  Okeson,  charged  with  supply- 
ing the  British  men  of  war  with  provisions,  be  commit- 
ted to  the  common  jail  of  Burlington  County. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Tuesday, 


475 


Tuesday,  June  25. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Continental  Congress  having  resolved,  "ThatWil- 
"  liam  Franklin,  Esquire,  be  sent  under  guard  to  Gov- 
"ernor  Trumbull,  of  Connecticut,  who  is  desired  to  take 
"his  parole;  and  if  Mr.  Franklin  refuse  to  give  his 
"  parole,  that  Governor  Trumbull  be  desired  to  treat  him 
"  agreeable  to  the  resolutions  of  Congress  respecting 
"  prisoners." 

Resolved,  That  the  President  do  issue  orders,  and  take 
such  measures  as  may  be  necessary  to  carry  the  above 
resolve  into  execution. 

Brigadier  General  Livingston,  having  by  letter  in- 
formed this  Congress  that  he  could  not,  for  reasons  there- 
in mentioned,  accept  the  command  of  the  militia  des- 
tined for  New  York  ; 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Nathaniel  Heard  be,  and  he  is 
hereby,  appointed  Brigadier-General  of  said  forces. 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  petition  from 
Burlington,  praying  that  the  men  raised  in  order  to  rein- 
force the  army  at  New- York,  may  be  subsisted  and  paid 
from  the  time  of  enlistment,  made  report;  which  was 
read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Memorial  of  Colonel  Stephen  Hunt,  setting  forth,  that 
several  difficulties  have  arisen  in  raising  the  new  levies, 
&c. ;  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Representation  of  Richard  Robins  and  Moses  Ivins, 
containing  reasons  for  their  refusing  to  obey  the  sum- 
mons of  this  House  ;  read. 

The  Congress  took  under  consideration  the  memorial 
of  Colonel  Hunt;  and  also  the  report  of  the  Committee 
to  whom  was  referred  the  petition    from  Burlington 

County, 


476 


County,  ifec. ;  and,  after  some  time  spent  therein,  came  to 
the  following  determination  : 

Whereas,  by  a  late  ordinance  of  this  Congress  for  the 
raising  of  three  thousand  three  hundred  of  the  militia  to 
reinforce  the  army  at  New  York,  no  provision  was  made 
for  the  subsistence  of  the  said  militia  from  the  time  of 
enlistment  to  the  time  of  marching.  And  whereas,  it  is 
highly  reasonable  that  some  provision  should  be  made 
therefor;  II  is  therefore  resolved,  That  every  commissioned 
officer  be  allowed  at  the  rate  of  fifteen  Shillings  a  week 
for  his  subsistence  from  the  time  he  begins  to  recruit,  to 
the  time  he  begins  to  march  to  the  place  of  general  ren- 
dezvous; and  that  every  non-commissioned  officer  and 
private  be  allowed  at  the  rate  of  seven  Shillings  and  six 
Pence  a  week  for  his  subsistence,  computing  from  the 
time  of  his  enlistment  to  the  time  of  his  marching  for 
the  place  of  destination  or  general  rendezvous. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  June  26. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Whereas  it  appears, from  undoubted  intelligence,  that 
there  are  several  insurgents  in  the  County  of  Monmouth, 
who  take  every  measure  in  their  power  to  contravene 
the  regulations  of  Congress,  and  to  oppose  the  cause  of 
American  freedom  ;  and,  as  it  is  highly  necessary  that  an 
immediate  check  be  given  to  so  daring  a  spirit  of  dis- 
affection ; 

It  is  therefore  resolved  unanimously,  That  Colonel  Charles 
Read  take  to  his  aid  two  companies  of  the  militia  of  the 
County  of  Burlington,  properly  officered  and  armed,  and 
proceed  without  delay  to  the  County  of  Monmouth,  in 
order  to  apprehend  such  insurgents  and  disaffected  per- 
sons in  said  County,  as  this  Congress  shall  give  in  direc- 
tion to  Colonel  Read. 

Resolved,  unayiimously,  That  Colonel  Read  take,  if  neces- 
sary, to  his  assistance,  the  militia  of  Monmouth. 

Resolved. 


477 

Resolved,  nnanimomly,  That  sucli  officers  and  militia  as 
engage  in  this  service,  shall  receive  the  like  pay  as  the 
Continental  troops. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  said  militia  furnish 
themselves  with  provisions,  and  that  this  Congress  will 
order  pa3'ment  ilierefor. 

Rssolved,  That  the  following  directions,  signed  by  the 
President,  be  given  to  Colonel  Read  : 

Colonel  diaries  Read  : 

You  are  hereby  ordered  to  apprehend  Richard  Robins 
and  Moses  Ivins,  and  to  deliver  them  unto  the  keeper  of 
the  common  gaol  of  the  County  of  Gloucester,  who  is 
hereby  commanded  to  keep  said  persons  in  close  and 
safe  confinement,  until  this  Congress,  or  Committee  of 
Safety,  shall  take  further  order  therein  :  And  you  are  also 
to  apprehend  Anthony  Woodward,  junior,  Joseph  Grover, 
Guisebert  Guisebertson,  and  Thomas  Lewis  Woodward, 
and  bring  them  before  this  Congress,  or,  during  their 
recess,  the  Committee  of  Safety. 

Whereas  it  appears,  from  authentick  information, 
that  certain  disaffected  persons,  in  the  County  of  Hunter- 
don, have  confederated  for  the  purpose  of  opposing  the 
measures  of  the  Continental  and  Provincial  Congresses, 
and  have  even  proceeded  to  acts  of  open  and  daring  vio- 
lence; have  plundered  and  robbed  the  house  of  Captain 
Jones;  have  beaten,  wounded,  and  otherwise  abused  the 
friends  of  freedom  in  said  County,  and  now  publickly 
declare,  that  they  will  take  up  arms  and  engage  in  behalf 
of  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  the  avowed  and  implacable 
enemy  of  the  United  Colonies.  In  order  to  put  an  effec- 
tual stop  to  a  combination  so  hostile  and  dangerous, 

It  is  resolved  unanimously.  That  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ten 
Eick,  and  Major  Berry,  take  to  their  aid  such  a  number 
of  the  militia,  properly  officered  and  armed,  of  the  Coun- 
ties of  Hunterdon  and  Somerset,  as  they  may  think  neces- 
sar}',  and  proceed,  without  delay,  to  the  said  County  of 
Hunterdon,  in  order  to  apprehend  such  insurgents  and 
disaffected  persons  as  this  Congress  shall  direct. 

Resolved, 


478 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  such  officers  and  militia  as 
engage  in  this  service,  shall  receive  the  like  pay  as  the 
Continental  troops. 

Resolved,  unanimously.  That  the  said  militia  furnish 
themselves  with  provisions,  and  that  this  Congress  will 
order  payment  therefor. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  directions,  signed  by  the 
President,  be  sent  to  Colonel  Ten  Eick  : 

Colonel  Abraham  Ten  Eick : 

You  are  hereby  ordered  to  apprehend  John  Vaught, 
Joseph  Lee,  Thomas  Swindle,  George  Cyphers,  jun.,  Peter 
Cyphers,  John  Day,  William  Hunt,  jun.,  Jonatlian  Hunt, 
John  Hunt,  John  Seal,  jun.,  Herman  Millhaui,  Chris- 
topher Vaught,  James  MacCord,  George  Casner,  Thomas 
Buskirk,  Frederick  Frittz,  Peter  Abgar,  Daniel  Hunt, 
George  Updike,  John  Horpence,  Philip  Forker,  Chris- 
topher Dilts,  Bartholomew  Thatcher,  Samuel  Slater, 
Edward  Taylor,  and  John  Taylor,  all  of  whom  you  are 
to  keep  under  strong  guard,  and  to  bring  before  this 
Congress,  or  Committee  of  Safety,  or,  during  their  recess, 
to  deliver  them  to  the  keeper  of  the  common  goal  of 
Trenton,  who  is  hereby  commanded  to  keep  them  in 
close  and  safe  confinement,  until  this  Congress,  or  Com- 
mittee of  Safety,  shall  take  further  orders  therein. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  draught  a  Constitution, 
&c.,  reported  a  draught  accordingly ;  which  was  read, 
and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Mehelra,  Mr.  Woodhull,  Dr.  Bloom- 
field  and  Mr.  Joseph  Holmes,  be  a  Committee  to  examine 
and  report  all  publick  accounts. 

Ordered,  That  the  President  write  to  the  Western  Com- 
missioners, and  desire  them  to  deliver  half  a  hundred 
weight  of  gunpowder  to  Colonel  Johnston. 

A 


479 


A  petition  from  the  Town  Committees  of  Galloway 
and  Great  Egg  Harbour,  praying  that  the  surplus  of  the 
money  arising  from  the  sale  of  goods  saved  in  a  trans- 
port which  was  stranded  on  the  coast,  may  be  appropri- 
ated towards  equipping  such  persons  within  their  bounds 
as  are  unable  to  equip  themselves;  was  read,  and  ordered 
a  second  reading. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Philip  Vickers  Fithian  be  Chaplain 
to  the  battalion  under  the  command  of  Colonel  New- 
comb  ;  and  to  the  battalion  to  be  raised  in  the  Counties 
of  Middlesex  and  Monmouth,  which  are  destined  for 
New  York. 

The  petition  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  the  County  of 
Monmouth,  praying  that  none  of  the  militia  may  be 
taken  out  of  that  County,  as  it  lies  so  exposed  to  hostile 
invasions;  was  read  a  second  time,  and  ordered  to  lie  on 
the  table. 

Ordered,  That  the  Company  under  the  command  of 
Captain  Stillwell,  which  was  directed  by  the  late  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  to  guard  the  coast  of  this  Colony  near 
Sandy  Hook,  be  continued  until  the  further  order  of  this 
Convention  or  Committee  of  Safety.  If  it  be  inconven- 
ient for  any  of  the  Company  to  continue  in  the  said 
employment.  Captain  Stillwell  is  hereby  empowered  to 
supply  such  deficiency  by  enlistment. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  George  Taylor  be  Commissary 
for  the  said  Company. 

A  petition  from  Thomas  Okeson,  now  confined  in  Bur- 
lington gaol  for  corresponding  with  the  enemy,  praying 
that  he  may  be  released;  read,  and  ordered  a  second 
reading. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Thursday, 


480 


Thursday,  June  27. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  memorial  from  Azariah  Dunham,  Esquire,  re- 
questing the  appointment  of  Commissary  and  Paymaster 
for  the  troops  to  be  raised  in  this  Province  for  the  Conti- 
nental service,  read  tlie  second  time  ;  whereupon, 

Resolved,  That  this  Congress  recommend  Mr.  Dunham 
as  Commissary  for  the  new  levies  raising  in  this  Colony 
to  reinforce  the  army  at  New  York. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Rowland  Chambers  be  recom- 
mended by  this  Congress  to  the  Honourable  Continental 
Congress  as  a  proper  person  to  be  Paymaster  of  the  said 
levies. 

The  Congress  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the 
Whole,  and  Mr.  Covenhoven  being  in  the  Chair,  took 
under  consideration  the  draught  of  a  Constitution,  (fee. 

The  President  resumed  the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Coven- 
hoven, from  the  Committee  of  the  Whole,  made  report, 
that  they  have  made  some  progress  in  the  matters  to 
them  referred,  and  pray  leave  to  sit  again. 

A  letter  from  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New  York, 
enclosing  an  extract  from  their  Minutes  was  received 
and  read. 

Adjourned  till  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment.  , 

The  Congress  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the 
Whole,  and  Mr.  Covenhoven  being  in  the  Chair,  resumed 
the  consideration  of  the  draught  of  a  Constitution. 

The  President  resumed  the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Coven- 
hoven, from  the  Committee  of  the  Whole,  made  report, 
that  they  have  made  some  further  progress  in  the  mat- 
ters to  them  referred,  and  desire  leave  to  sit  again. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Friday, 


481 


Friday,  June  28. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  petition  from  the  officers  of  the  militia  of  Glouces- 
ter, appointed  to  raise  men  for  the  Continental  service, 
to  reinforce  the  troops  now  in  New  York,  setting  forth, 
that  fifteen  Siiillings  a  week  is  not  sufficient  to  defray 
their  expenses  in  enlisting  said  men,  and  requesting  that 
this  Congress  would  make  such  further  allowance  as  may 
be  reasonable  and  necessary  ;  was  read,  and  ordered  a 
second  reading. 

Two  petitions  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  the  Town- 
ship of  Upper  Freehold,  in  the  County  of  Monmouth, 
praying  that  this  Congress  would  immediately  establish 
such  mode  of  government  as  shall  be  equal  to  the  ex- 
igencies of  this  Colony,  and  fully  coincide  with  the  re- 
solve of  the  Honourable  Continental  Congress  of  the  15th 
of  May  last ;  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  several  petitions  for  and  against  the  establishment 
of  a  government,  read  the  second  time,  and  referred  to 
tlie  Committee  of  the  Whole. 

The  Congress  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the 
Whole. 

The  President  resumed  the  chair,  when  Mr.  Covenho- 
ven,  from  the  Committee  of  the  Whole,  made  report,  that 
they  had  not  yet  come  to  any  resolutions,  and  desired 
leave  to  sit  again. 

Adjourned  till  three  o'clock  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Andrew  Hunter  be  Chaplain  to  the 
three  battalions  now  raising  in  this  Colony,  under  the 
command  of  Colonels  Van  Cortland,  Martin  and  Hunt, 
destined  to  reinforce  the  army  at  New  York. 

The 

32 


482 


The  Congress  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the 
Whole. 

The  President  resumed  the  chair,  and  Mr.  Covenhoven, 
from  the  Committee  of  the  Whole,  made  report,  that 
they  had  not  yet  come  to  any  resolutions,  and  desired 
leave  to  sit  again. 

Pursuant  to  a  certificate  of  election, 

Ordered,  That  Ellet  Howell  be  second  lieutenant  of 
the  light  infantry  company  in  the  first  battalion  of  foot 
militia  in  the  County  of  Hunterdon,  whereof  Isaac 
Smith,  Esquire  is  Colonel. 

Pursuant  to  a  certificate  of  election. 
Ordered,  That  Joseph  Clunn  be  Ensign  of  a  company 
at  Trenton,  in  the  same  battalion. 

Adjourned  till  seven  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 


Saturday,  June  29. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  petition  from  the  County  Committee  of  Monmouth, 
setting  forth,  that,  in  pursuance  of  a  resolution  of  the 
late  Congress,  said  Committee  furnished  Colonel  Max- 
well's battallion  with  fifty  stand  of  arms,  and  that  it  was 
in  their  option  to  have  them  replaced  or  receive  their 
value  in  money,  and  praying  that  this  Congress  would 
order  the  value  of  said  arms  to  be  paid  in  money,  read 
a  second  time,  and  ordered  that  the  treasurer  pay  the 
amount  of  said  arms  according  to  the  appraisment. 

Mr.  Josiah  Franklin  Davenport  handed  to  Congress  an 
account  in  the  words  following  : 

"  Extract  of  a  letter  from  the  Provincial  Congress, 
"dated  Burlington,  June  15th,  1776,  delivered  to  Mr. 
"  Davenport. 

"To 


483 


"  To  Col.  Nathaniel  Heard : 

"  Wliatever  expence  may  be  necessary  for  this  service 
"  will  be  cheerfully  defrayed  by  the  Congress. 

"  Samuel  Tucker,  President. 

"Colonel  Nathaniel  Heard  toJosiah  F.Davenport,  June  26, 
"  1770.  Dr. 

"To  boarding  and  lodging  Governor  Franklin,  his  serv- 
"  ant,  (fee,  one  week,  £.  3:0:0 

Ordered,  That  the  treasurer  pay  the  above  account. 

Two  memorials,  the  one  from  the  County  Committee 
of  Monmouth,  the  other  from  the  Committee  of  Safety  of 
that  County,  respecting  certain  disaffected  persons  in  said 
County;  and  requesting  that  this  Congress  would  take 
some  decisive  order  therein;  were  read,  and  ordered  a 
second  reading. 

Ordered,  That  Dr.  John.Condict  be  surgeon  to  the  bat- 
talion directed  to  be  raised  in  the  Counties  of  Bergen, 
Essex  and  Burlington,  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Van  Cortland,  destined  to  reinforce  the  army  at  New 
York. 

A  petition  from  Richard  Robins  and  Moses  Ivins,  pray- 
ing a  hearing,  confessing  their  faults,  offering  to  make 
discoveries,  and  praying  a  discharge ;  read  and  filed. 

Ordered,  That  they  attend  immediately. 

After  the  hearing. 

Ordered,  That  they  be  remanded  to  prison. 

A  letter  from  Adjutant  General  Reed,  informing  that 
General  Howe  is  arrived  at  Sandy  Hook  with  a  consid- 
erable force,  and  desiring  immediate  detachments  from 
the  militia  of  this  Colony,  to  reinforce  the  army  at  New 
York  ;  read  and  filed. 

Ordered,  That  the  President  write  to  Mr.  Reed  and  in- 
form him  of  the  situation  of  our  levies,  and  the  orders  this 
Congress  have  issued. 

John  Covenhoven,  Esq.,  elected  Vice  President. 

Agreed 


484 


Agreed  that  twent}^  of  the  members  of  this  Congress 
be  a  quorum  or  body  sufficient  to  transact  any  business, 
except  such  as  may  respect  the  formation  of  the  Consti- 
tution. 

Certain  advice  being  received  of  the  arrival  of  General 
Howe  at  Sandy  Hook,  Ordered,  That  all  officers  who 
have  enlisted  men  properly  armed,  under  the  late  ordi- 
nance for  raising  three  thousand  three  hundred  men 
within  this  Colony,  proceed  immediately  with  such  num- 
bers as  they  have  collected,  or  can  collect,  without  delay 
to  New  York ;  assigning  a  due  proportion  of  officers  to 
the  men  that  they  may  be  ready,  and  leaving  other  offi- 
cers as  occasion  may  require,  to  collect  the  remainder. 
All  officers,  paymasters,  and  others,  are  required  to  be 
diligent  in  their  respective  stations;  and  all  the  friends 
of  liberty  throughout  the  Colony  are  most  earnestly  en- 
treated now  to  exert  themselves  for  the  preservation  of 
their  country,  their  lives,  liberties  and  property. 

This  Congress  do  likewise  earnestly  desire  all  persons 
to  lend  arms  or  other  necessaries  on  the  present  occasion, 
and  they  may  rest  assured  of  the  publick  faith  to  make 
amends  for  any  loss  or  damage  they  may  incur. 

Ordered,  That  Cornelius  Van  Voorst  be  Lieutenant- 
Colonel,  Richard  Dey,  First  Major,  and  John  Mauritius 
Goetschius,  Second  Major,  of  the  battalion  of  foot  militia 
in  the  County  of  Bergen. 

Ordered,  That  Charles  Pettit,  Esquire,  be  commanded 
immediately  to  remove  the  publick  records  and  papers, 
in  his  custody,  from  the  city  of  Perth  Amboy  to  the  city 
of  Burlington. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 


The  Congress  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the 
Whole. 

The 


485 


Tlie  President  resumed  the  Chair. 

Mr.  Sparks,  from  the  Committee  of  the  Whole,  reported , 
that  the  Committee  had  come  to  several  Resolutions, 
which  he  was  ready  to  report. 

Resolved,  That  the  Congress  will  receive  the  report  of 
the  Committee  of  the  Whole  on  Tuesday  next;  at  which 
time  every  member  is  enjoined  to  be  punctual  in  his  at- 
tendance. 

Ordered,  That  Dr.  Jonathan  Horton  be  Surgeon,  and 
Dr.  David  Ewen  Surgeon's  Mate  to  the  battalion  directed 
to  be  raised  in  the  Counties  of  Morris  and  Sussex,  under 
the  command  of  Col.  Martin,  destined  to  reinforce  the 
army  at  New  York. 

Congress  received  a  letter  from  Colonel  Taylor  of  Mon- 
mouth, dated  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  of  this  day,  in- 
forming that  nineteen  sail  of  the  enemy's  fleet  lies  at  the 
Hook,  and  forty-five  in  sight;  read  and  filed. 

Ordered,  That  the  President  write  to  the  Continental 
Congress,  enclosing  a  copy  of  the  above  letter,  and  re- 
questing a  supply  of  powder. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning  eight  o'clock. 


Sunday,  Juno  30. 

A  sufficient  number  of  members  not  attending,  ad- 
journed till  to-morrow  morning  eight  o'clock. 


Monday,  July  1. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

I'he  Continental  Congress  having  upon  request,  fur- 
nished this  Congress  with  two  tons  of  powder. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  distributed  in  the  follow- 
ing manner: 

Morris 


486 


Morris 

400 

Somerset 

400 

Bergen 

400 

Essex 

500 

Sussex 

400 

Monmouth 

700 

Hunterdon 

400 

Middlesex 

500 

Burlington 

300 

1900 

2100 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Whereas  by  a  regulation  of  the  late  Congress,  the 
several  Committees  in  this  Colony,  were  authorized  and 
directed  to  disarm  all  the  non-associatorsand  persons  noto- 
riously disaffected,  within  their  bounds:  And  whereas  it 
appears  that  the  said  regulation  hath  not  been  carried 
into  effect  in  some  parts  of  the  Colony  ;  and  it  being  abso- 
lutely necessary,  in  the  present  dangerous  state  of  pub- 
lick  affairs,  when  arms  are  much  wanted  for  the  publick 
defence,  that  it  should  be  instantly  executed  :  It  is  there- 
fore directed  and  resolved.  That  the  several  Colonels  in 
this  Colony  do,  without  delay,  proceed  to  disarm  all 
such  persons  within  their  districts,  whose  religious  princi- 
ples will  not  permit  them  to  bear  arms;  and  likewise  all 
such  as  have  hitherto  refused  and  still  do  refuse  to  bear 
arms;  that  the  arras  so  taken  be  appraised  by  some 
indifferent  person  or  persons;  that  the  said  Colonels  give 
vouchers  for  the  same,  and  that  the  appraisement  and 
receipt  be  left  in  the  hands  of  the  persons  disarmed. 

John  Leonard,  Richard  Robins,  Moses  Ivins,  Thomas 
Lewis  Woodward  and  Ezekiel  Forman,  being  brought 
before  Congress,  to  answer  certain  charges  exhibited 
against  them,  did  severally  and  voluntarily  execute 
bonds,  in  the  penalty  of  five  hundred  pounds,  conditioned 
at  all  times,  and  in  all  things  well  and  faithfully  to  ob- 
serve, obey,  keep  and  perform  all  resolves,  orders,  ordi- 
nances and  regulations  of  the  Continental  Congress,  and 
of  this  Provincial  Congress,  and  to  be  of  good  behaviour 

and 


487 


and  in  no  wise  knowingly  or  willingly  to  act  inimically 
or  unfriendly  to  the  cause  of  the  United  Colonies. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning  eight  o'clock. 

Tuesday,  July  2. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Agreeable  to  order,  the  Congress  went  into  the  con- 
sideration of  the  report  of  the  Committee  of  the  Whole  ; 
and,  after  some  time  spent  therein,  deferred  the  further 
consideration  thereof  till  the  afternoon. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  Congress  the  mi- 
litia of  Monmouth  County  ought,  for  the  present,  to  re- 
main in  their  own  County,  excepting  such  part  thereof  as 
by  the  late  ordinance  of  this  Congress  were  required  to 
form  their  proportion  of  the  New- Jersey  brigade  of  three 
thousand  three  hundred  men. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Henry  Waddell  Esq.  captain  of  a  grenadier  company 
in  the  militia  of  Monmouth,  having,  by  petition,  prayed 
that  this  Congress  would  accept  a  resignation  of  his  com- 
mission, assigning  for  reason  that  he  was  so  frequently 
afflicted  with  the  gout,  that  he  was  rendered  incapable 
of  doing  the  duty  of  an  officer; 

Ordered,  That  his  resignation  be  accepted. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Isaac  Smith  be  directed  to  take 
charge  of  Christopher  Vaught,  John  Vaught,  Joseph  Lee, 
Frederick  Frittz,  Thomas  Buskirk,  Jonathan  Hunt,  Jacob 
Hunt,  Bartholomew  Thatcher,  John  Brady,  John  Hor- 
])ence,  Philip  Cool,  Philip  Fanker,  James  Greames,  and 
William  Thatcher,  disaffected  persons,  apprehended  by 
order  of  Congress,  and  to  confine  them  in  the  common 

gaol 


488 


gaol  of  Trenton,  and  there  to  keep  them  under  guard 
until  the  further  order  of  this  Congress,  or  the  Commit- 
tee of  Safety. 

The  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  report 
of  the  Committee  of  the  Whole;  which,  after  sundry 
amendments,  was  agreed  to. 

On  the  question, 
Whether  the  draught  of  the  constitution,  formed  on 
the  report  of  the  Committee  of  the  Whole,  be  now  con- 
firmed, or  be  deferred  for  further  consideration?    It  was 
carried  for  confirming  now,  as  follows : 


For  now — 
Mr.  Camp, 


Clark,  Sergeant, 

Cook,  Hugg,  Shaver, 

Green,  Ellis,  Symmes, 

Mehelm,  Elmer,  Shinn, 

Joseph  Holmes,  Harris,  Tallman, 

Mott,  Bowen,  Reynolds, 

Josiuh  Holmes,  Hand,  Fennimore, 

Sparks,  Learning,  Shreve. 

Cooper,  Hathorn, 


For  deferring — 
Mr.  Drummond, 

Savage, 
Post, 


Paterson, 

Brown, 

Cripps, 


Hughes, 

Dick, 

Read. 


Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


Wednesday,  July  3. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered,  That  Joseph  Pancoast  be  commissioned  as 
Captain,  Henry  Delatush,  First  Lieutenant,  John  Ker- 
lin,  Ensign,  of  a  company  of  foot  militia  in  the  Town- 
ship of  Mansfield,  in  Burlington  County. 

Ordered, 


489 


Ordered,  That  Captain  Kinney  be  cited  to  appear  be- 
fore this  Congress,  and  answer  for  his  conduct  in  delay- 
ing the  removal  of  William  Franklin,  Esq!  to  Connecticut. 

Whereas,  authentick  information  has  been  received 
by  this  Congress,  that  a  number  of  disaffected  persons 
have  assembled  in  the  County  of  Monmouth,  preparing, 
by  force  of  arms,  to  oppose  the  cause  of  American  free- 
dom, and  to  join  the  British  troops,  for  the  destruction 
of  this  country ;  and  it  being  highly  necessary  that  im- 
mediate measures  be  taken  to  subdue  these  dangerous 
insurgents:  It  is  therefore  unanimously  resolved,  That  Colo- 
nel Charles  Read,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Samuel  Forman, 
and  Major  Joseph  Haight,  do  take  two  hundred  of  the 
militia  of  Burlington  County,  and  two  hundred  of  the 
militia  of  Monmouth,  and  proceed,  without  delay,  in 
order  to  quell  the  aforesaid  insurrection,  and  to  disarm 
and  take  prisoners  whomsoever  they  shall  find  assembled 
with  intent  to  oppose  the  friends  of  American  freedom  ; 
which  prisoners,  so  taken,  they  shall  forthwith  bring  be- 
fore this  Congress :  and  the  said  officers  are  empowered 
to  take  such  measures  as  they  shall  think  necessary  for 
this  service. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

On  the  question, 
Whether  the  draught  of  the  constitution  be  now 
printed,  or  the  printing  thereof  be  deferred  for  a  few 
days,  in  order  to  reconsider,  in  a  full  house,  the  propriety 
of  the  last  clause  in  the  constitution,  containing  the 
proviso  respecting  reconciliation  ?  It  was  carried  as  fol- 
lows : 

For  printing  now — 

Mr.  Camp,  Clark,  Shinn, 

Hardenberg,      Elmer,  Tall  man, 

Josepli  Holmes,  Harris,  Fennimore, 


Mott, 
Sparks, 
Cooper, 


Bowen, 
Leaming, 
Shaver, 


Shreve, 
Covenhoven. 


For 


490 


For  deferring — 

Mr.  Frelinghuysen,  Josiah  Holmes,  Symmes, 
Paterson,  Ellis,  Dick. 

Mehelrn,  Sergeant, 

Ordered,  That  one  thousand  copies  of  the  draught  of 
charter  rights  be  immediately  printed  and  dispersed 
among  the  inhabitants  of  this  Colony. 

On  the  application  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New 
York, 

Ordered,  That  they  be  empowered  to  apprehend  and 
secure  such  of  the  inhabitants  of  that  Colony,  who  have 
removed  into  this,  as  they  may  think  necessary  for  the 
publick  rood;  and  all  persons  within  this  Colony  are  de- 
sired to  aid  and  assist  in  the  execution  of  such  orders  for 
that  purpose  as  they  may  think  proper  to  make. 

Ordered,  That  Stephen  Crane,  Lewis  Ogden  and  Caleb 
Camp,  Esquires,  be  a  Secret  Committee  to  correspond  and 
co-operate  with  the  Secret  Committee  of  the  Provincial 
Congress  of  New  York  ;  and  that  the  said  Committee  be 
vested  with  power  to  issue  warrants  and  apprehend  and 
confine  such  person  or  persons  as  they  may  think  neces- 
sary for  the  publick  good. 

The  petition  from  the  Town  Committee  of  Galloway 
and  Great  Egg  Harbour,  praying  that  the  surplus  of  the 
money  arising  from  the  sale  of  goods  saved  on  board  a 
transport  belonging  to  the  enemy,  which  was  stranded  on 
the  Jersey  coast,  may  be  appropriated  towards  equipping 
such  within  their  bounds,  and  the  bounds  of  Little  Egg 
Harbour,  as  are  unable  to  equip  themselves ;  was  read  a 
second  time,  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Thursday,  July  4. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  petition  from  John  Reynolds  and  George  Riche, 

papermakers 


491 


papermakers  in  Germantown,  Pennsylvania,  setting  forth 
that  they  designed  to  carry  on  their  trade  in  this  Colony, 
and  praying  that  this  Congress  would  encourage  the 
same  ;  read  a  second  time,  and  deferred  for  further  con- 
sideration. 

Resolved,  That,  in  order  to  prevent  a  failure  of  justice, 
all  judges,  justices  of  the  peace,  sheriffs,  coroners,  and 
other  inferior  officers  of  the  late  government  within  this 
Colony,  proceed  in  the  execution  of  their  several  offices, 
under  the  authority  of  the  people,  until  the  intended 
Legislature  and  the  several  officers  of  the  new  govern- 
ment be  settled  and  perfected,  having  respect  to  the  pres- 
ent Constitution  of  New  Jersey,  as  by  the  Congress  of 
late  ordained,  and  the  orders  of  the  Continental  and 
Provincial  Congresses  ;  and  that  all  actions,  suits  and 
processes  be  continued,  altering  only  the  style  and  form 
thereof,  according  to  the  terms  by  the  said  Constitution 
prescribed,  in  the  further  prosecution  thereof. 

Ordered,  That  the  Committee  of  the  County  of  Glou- 
cester be  continued,  and  they  proceed  to  act  in  all  cases 
as  heretofore  directed,  until  a  new  election. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Whereas,  this  Congress  has  been  given  to  understand 
that  divers  persons,  in  the  County  of  Monmouth,  have 
embodied  themselves  in  opposition  to  the  measures  of 
Congress ;  and  are  informed  that  numbers  have  ex- 
pressed their  willingness  to  return  to  their  duty  upon  as- 
surances of  pardon,  alledging  that  they  have  been 
seduced  and  misled  by  the  false  and  malicious  reports  of 
others ;  It  is  therefore  declared,  That  all  such  persons  as 
shall  without  delay  return  peaceably  to  their  homes,  and 
conform  to  the  orders  of  Congress,  shall  be  treated  with 
lenity  and  indulgence;  and  upon  their  good  behaviour, 
shall  be  restored  to  the  favour  of  their  country;  provided 
that  none  such  as  shall  appear  to  have  been  the  leaders 

and 


492 


and  principals  in  those  disorders,  who  to  their  other 
guilt,  have  added  that  of  seducing  the  weak  and  unwary, 
shall  yet  be  treated  according  to  their  demerits. 

Adjourned  to  meet  at  Trenton,  to-morrow  morning,  ten 
o'clock. 


Trenton,  Friday,  July  5, 1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Isaac  De  Cow,  Esquire,  having  resigned  his  commis- 
sion as  Second  Major  of  the  first  regiment  of  foot  militia 
in  the  County  of  Hunterdon,  whereof  Isaac  Smith,  Esq. 
is  Colonel ; 

Ordered,  That  his  resignation  be  accepted. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Joseph  Borden  do  provide  wag- 
gons, and  every  other  necessary,  to  accommodate  the  rifle 
battalion  of  Pennsylvania,  consisting  of  five  hundred 
men,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Broad- 
head,  in  their  march  to  Monmouth  County,  the  place  of 
their  destination. 

Resolved,  That  the  artillery  company,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Captain  Hugg,  be  ordered  to  march  immedi- 
ately with  their  artillery  to  New  Brunswick  ;  and  from 
thence  to  such  place  as  General  Livingston  shall  direct. 

Letter  from  John  Dennis,  Esquire,  urging  the  necessity 
of  removing  the  officers  and  other  prisoners  of  war  from 
the  publick  places  in  which  they  are  at  present;  as  the 
soldiers  have  been  continually  plotting  with  the  negroes, 
discouraging  persons  from  enlisting  in  the  Continental 
service,  ridiculing  the  Congress,  &c. 

Ordered,  That  the  President  immediately  write  to  the 
Honourable  Continental  Congress,  enclosing  a  copy  of 
the  letter  from  Mr.  Dennis,  and  requesting  their  advice 
in  what  manner  to  dispose  of  the  said  prisoners  of  war. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met 


493 


Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered,  That  commissions  be  made  out  for  the  follow- 
ing persons,  officers  in  the  battalion  ordered  to  be  raised 
in  the  Counties  of  Somerset  and  Plunterdon,  destined  to 
reinforce  the  army  at  New- York :  Richard  Stites,  Cap- 
tain. Peter  Low,  First  Lieutenant,  Derick  Lame,  second 
Lieutenant,  John  Garrish,  Ensign  ;  Jeremiah  Dunn,  First 
Lieutenant,  William  Cummins,Second  Lieutenant,  David 
Smalle}^  Ensign. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  for  the  western  division 
do  advance  to  the  wives  of  William  Bertles,  Sergeant 
Willson  and  Hugh  Mac  Lean,  the  sum  of  twenty-five 
shillings,  proclamation  money,  per  month  each  ;  which 
sum  is  to  be  stopped  out  of  their  pay  in  the  hands  of 
Captain  Brearley. 

Petition  from  the  Township  Committee  of  Piscataway, 
setting  forth,  that  certain  disaffected  persons  had  been 
taken  and  carried  out  of  the  said  township  before  trial, 
and  praying  that  this  Congress  would  take  some  order 
therein  ;  was  read  ;  whereupon. 

Ordered,  That  the  President  write  to  General  Heard  on 
the  above  subject. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


Saturday,  July  6. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Cooper  and  Mr.  Dick  be  a  commit- 
tee to  prepare  the  draught  of  a  bill  to  regulate  the  ensu- 
ing election. 

Resolved,  That  the  several  persons  appointed  muster- 
masters  of  the  levies,  directed  to  be  raised  by  the  late 
ordinance  of  this  Congress,  pay  the  said  levies  their  sub- 
sistence money. 


Ordered, 


494 


Ordered,  That  the  prisoners  now  in  gaol  on  account  of 
being  disaffected  to  the  cause  of  the  United  Colonies,  be 
brought  to  trial  on  Wednesday  next,  at  three  o'clock 
afternoon. 

Resolved,  That  a  number  of  the  militia  in  the  County 
of  Cape-May,  not  exceeding  five  and  twenty,  commanded 
by  one  commissioned  officer,  be  raised  and  stationed  at 
the  point  of  Cape-May. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Memucan  Hughes  be  Commissary 
and  Paymaster  of  the  said  detachment  of  militia. 

It  appearing  to  be  absolutely  necessary,  in  the  present 
dangerous  situation  of  publick  affairs,  that  this  Congress 
continue  sitting ;  and  many  members  having  been  called 
away  by  a  regard  to  their  private  affairs  at  this  busy  sea- 
son of  the  3'ear,  others  by  an  attention  to  their  families 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  enemy,  and  some  (we  are 
sorry  to  say)  having  wholly  neglected  their  duty  to  the 
publick.  by  departing  without  leave:  therefore, 

Ordered,  That  such  members  as  shall  attend  be  em- 
powered to  transact  any  business  which  may  arise  and 
require  immediate  consideration  whether  a  sufficient 
number  to  constitute  a  quorum  attend  or  not. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Joseph  King  be  Adjutant,  and  Mr. 
Joshua  Gordon  regimental  Quarter-master  of  the  batta- 
lion to  be  raised  in  the  Counties  of  Sussex  and  Morris, 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  Martin,  destined  to  rein- 
force the  army  at  New- York. 

Congress  received  a  letter  from  the  Honourable  Presi- 
dent, Hancock,  enclosing  the  following  resolve  : 

;  "  In  Congress,  July  5,  1776. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  British  officers  and  soldiers  who 

"  are 


495 


"are  prisoners,  and  now  in  the  Colon}'^  of  New-Jersey, be 
"sent  from  thence  to  the  town  of  York,  in  the  Colonj'  of 
"Pennsylvania;  and  that  the  Convention,  or  Committee 
"  of  Safety,  of  New-Jersey,  be  requested  to  carry  this  re- 
"  solve  into  immediate  execution. 

"  By  order  of  Congress, 

"  John  Hancock,  President." 

Ordered,  That  the  above  resolve  of  the  Continental 
Congress  be  forthwith  carried  into  immediate  execution, 
and  that  the  necessary  steps  be  immediately  taken  for 
that  purpose. 

Ordered,  That  the  President  do  take  the  parole  of 
honour  of  Mr.  John  Lawrence  of  Monmouth  County,  not 
to  depart  the  house  of  Mr.  Renssellier  Williams;  and,  if 
Mr.  Lawrence  should  refuse  to  give  the  same,  that  the 
President  order  him  to  be  confined  under  such  guard  as 
he  may  deem  necessary. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock  on  Monday  morning. 


Monday,  July  8. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 
On  application, 

Ordered,  That  the  President  take  the  parole  of  Mr. 
Lawrence,  not  to  depart  the  Township  of  Trenton,  unless 
with  leave  of  Congress. 

A  petition  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  the  Township  of 
Alexandria,  in  Hunterdon  County,  praying  that  no 
member  of  Congress  may  hold  any  post  of  profit ;  that 
all  publick  accounts  may  be  fairly  stated  and  put  in  the 
journals;  that  the  yeas  and  nays  may  also  be  inserted, 
&c.  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissioners  send  forward,  with- 
out delay,  the  camp-kettels  by  them  purchased  for  the 

use 


496 


use  of  General  Heard's  brigade;  tliat  tlie  Commissioners 
divide  them  to  each  battalion,  according  to  the  direc- 
tions of  General  Heard ;  and  that  they  take  receipts  of 
the  several  regimental  Quarter-Masters,  for  the  number 
of  camp-kettles  delivered  as  aforesaid  : 

Also  ordered.  That  they  send  forward  the  lead,  flints 
and  canteens,  knapsacks,  cartridge-paper,  brushes  and 
wires,  and  intrenching  tools,  by  them  purchased,  to  Gen- 
eral Livingston's  brigade,  to  be  by  him  disposed  of  as 
necessity  may  require. 

Captain  Charles  Harrison  having  resigned  his  commis- 
sion, 

Ordered,  That  his  resignation  be  accepted. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  draught  for 
regulating  the  ensuing  election,  made  report;  which  was 
read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered,  That  Robert  Paterson,  Esq.,  be  Surgeon's 
Mate  to  the  battalion  directed  to  be  raised  in  the  Coun- 
ties of  Burlington,  Gloucester,  Salem,  and  Cumberland, 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  Silas  Newcomb. 

The  memorial  of  Dr.  Thomas  Ewing,  Surgeon  to  the 
battalion  under  Colonel  Newcomb,  setting  forth,  that  not 
knowing  what  provision  has  been  made  of  instruments 
and  medicine  for  the  use  of  the  said  battalion,  he  had 
laid  in,  for  present  use,  about  twenty  Pounds  worth,  re- 
iving on  the  credit  of  this  Congress  for  the  reimburse- 
ment of  the  money;  was  read,  and  ordered  a  seeond 
reading. 

Ordered,  That  Dr.  Cornelius  Baldwin  be  Surgeon  to 
the  battalion  directed  to  be  raised  in  the  Counties  of 
Hunterdon  and  Somerset,  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Stephen  Hunt. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning  eight  o'clock. 

Tuesday, 


497 


Tuesday,  July  9. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Colonel  Breese  having  resigned  his  commission  of 
Colonel  of  the  third  battalion  of  militia  in  the  County  of 
Monmouth,  assigning  for  reason  the  great  backwardness 
of  the  people;  himself  so  indifferently  attended  on  field 
days,  and  so  few  ready  to  turn  out,  hiding  themselves 
and  deserting  their  houses,  when  called  upon  to  defend 
the  shore ; 

Ordered,  That  his  resignation  be  accepted. 

Ordered,  That  Daniel  Hendrickson,  Esq.,  be  Colonel  of 
the  third  battalion  of  foot  militia  in  the  County  of 
Monmouth. 

Letter  from  General  Livingston,  enclosing  copies  of 
letters  from  General  Washington  and  Major  Duychinck ; 
read  and  filed. 

Letter  from  Lewis  Ogden,  Esq.,  read  and  filed. 

Letter  from  John  Dennis,  Esq.,  read  and  filed. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Mr.  Symmes  and  Mr.  Sergeant,  appointed  a  Commit- 
tee to  wait  on  Stephen  Skinner,  Esq.,  Captain  Kennedy, 
Mr.  Fairholm,  Captain  Turnbull,  Philip  Kearney,  Michael 
Kearney,  Doctor  John  Lawrence,  Thomas  Skinner,  Isaac 
Bonnell  and  William  Hick,  apprehended  and  removed 
to  this  place,  pursuant  to  an  order  of  General  Washing- 
ton, and  take  their  parole,  not  to  depart  the  town  of 
Trenton,  unless  with  leave  of  Congress. 

The  above  Committee  make  report,  that  they  have 
taken  the  parole  of  the  above  gentlemen,  according  to 
order. 

Pursuant 

33 


498 


Pursuant  to  order,  John  Lawrence,  Esq.,  appeared 
before  Congress,  and  was  permitted  to  return  home  on 
his  parole,  to  attend  this  House  whenever  called  upon. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning  eight  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  July  10, 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Letter  from  Abraham  Clark  Esq.,  informing  that  four 
tons  of  powder  were  ordered  to  be  sent  immediately  on 
Continental  account  for  the  use  of  the  militia  who  march 
out  to  guard  the  Province  until  the  flying  camp  is 
formed,  or  for  the  use  of  the  flying  camp,  if  not  expended 
before  they  take  the  field ;  read,  and  ordered  to  be  filed. 

The  petition  from  Doctor  John  Hicks,  apprehended 
and  removed  to  this  place,  pursuant  to  an  order  of  Gen- 
eral Washington,  setting  forth,  that  he  is  a  half-pay 
officer,  is  desirous  of  saving  his  half-pay,  as  he  has  a  large 
family  to  support,  that  he  has  not  yet  signed  the  associa- 
tion, nor  has  been  ever  called  upon  for  that  purpose  ; 
but  seeing  the  necessity  of  the  Colonies  being  united,  is 
determined  that  his  half-pay  shall  not  be  any  restraint 
upon  his  future  conduct ;  that  he  is  ready  to  sign  the 
association,  and  to  act  in  every  respect  agreeable  to  the 
resolves  of  the  Honourable  Continental  Congress,  pray- 
ing that  he  may  be  permitted  to  return,  as  his  aff"airs  are 
suff'ering  on  account  of  his  absence ;  was  read,  and 
ordered  a  second  reading. 

Ordered,  That  the  President  take  the  parole  of  John 
Richards  and  Dr.  John  Hicks,  apprehended  and  sent  to 
this  place  pursuant  to  an  order  of  General  Washington, 
not  to  depart  the  town  of  Trenton,  unless  with  leave  of 
this  Congress. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  of  Trenton,  respecting 
Samuel  Henry  ;  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Resolved, 


499 


Resolved,  That  General  Livingston  be  directed  to  appre- 
hend the  person  of  the  late  Treasurer,  John  Smyth,  Esq., 
and  remove  him,  with  the  publick  money  in  his  hands, 
and  such  of  his  books  and  papers  as  relate  to  the  Trea- 
sury, under  guard  to  Trenton. 

Adjourned  till  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered,  That  Samuel  Franklin  Parker  be  Major  of  the 
battalion  raised  in  the  Counties  of  Middlesex  and  Mon- 
mouth, destined  to  reinforce  the  army  at  New  York,  in 
the  brigade  under  General  Heard. 

Jacob  Tice,  Ensign  in  Captain  Burrow's  company,  des- 
tined to  reinforce  the  army  at  New  York,  having  refused 
to  accept  his  appointment ; 

Ordered,  That  Jonathan  Holmes  be  Ensign  in  the  said 
company. 

Ordered,  That  Mark  Thompson,  Esq.,  be  Colonel  of  the 
first  battalion  of  militia  in  the  County  of  Sussex. 

Pursuant  to  the  order  of  the  day,  the  Congress  went 
into  the  examination  of  witnesses  in  support  of  the 
charges  exhibited  against  certain  disaffected  persons  ap- 
prehended in  the  County  of  Hunterdon  by  order  of  Con- 
gress ;  after  hearing  several  witnesses,  the  further  consid- 
eration thereof  was  deferred  till  to-morrow  morning. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning  eight  o'clock. 


Thursday,  July  11. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  letter  from  Adjutant  General  Reed,  informing  Con- 
gress that  he  had  it  in  charge  from  General  Washington 
to  acquaint  this  body,  that  it  being  of  the  utmost  im- 
portance 


500 


portance  to  prevent  any  communication  or  correspon- 
dence with  the  enemy ;  and  having,  from  many  strong 
circumstances,  just  reason  to  suspect  sundry  persons  about 
Amboy  would  avail  themselves  of  their  situation  to  give 
intelligence  and  aid  to  the  enemy,  he  deemed  it  necessar}^ 
for  the  safety  of  the  publick,  that  they  should  be  removed 
to  places  where  they  could  have  no  opportunity  of  carry- 
ing such  design  into  execution  ;  submitting  it  to  the  con- 
sideration of  this  House,  whether  some  general  direction 
given  on  this  head  to  the  Committees,  or  general  officers 
or  both,  is  not  absolutely  necessary;  read,  and  ordered  a 
second  reading. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  William  Gamble  be  directed  to 
apprehend,  and  bring  to  this  place.  Captain  Crow ;  and 
that  this  Congress  will  defray  the  necessary  expense 
arising  thereon. 

Congress  resumed  the  examination  of  witnesses  for  and 
against  certain  disaffected  person  in  the  County  of  Hun- 
terdon ;  and,  after  some  time  spent  therein,  adjourned 
the  further  examination  till  the  afternoon. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Congress  resumed  the  examination  of  witnesses  for 
and  against  certain  disaffected  persons  in  the  County  of 
Hunterdon  ;  and,  having  gone  through  the  same,  deferred 
the  determination  thereof  until  to-morrow. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning  eight  o'clock. 

Friday,  July  12. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

On  the  recommendation  of  General  Livingston,  William 
Bott,  Esq.,  is  appointed  Adjutant  General  of  the  militia 
of  New  Jersey. 

It 


501 


It  appearing  that  opposition  to  the  draughts  was  made 
in  Captain  Groendyck's  company  and  George  Updike  and 
John  Horpence  liaving  attended  before  Congress  upon  a 
charge  of  being  concerned,  when  no  witnesses  appeared 
to  fix  the  cliarge  upon  any  individuals;  It  is  ordered, 
That  the  Township  Committee  of  Kingswood,  take  cog- 
nizance of  the  offence  of  the  people  of  that  company. 

Ordered,  That  Lieutenant  Howell,  with  two  ])rivates, 
be  directed  to  proceed  immediately  to  Burlington,  and 
bring,  under  guard,  Thomas  Okeson  to  Trenton. 

Upon  the  application  of  Dr.  Beaumont  to  this  Congress 
for  reimbursement  of  his  expenses  in  transporting  his 
baggage,  &c.  and  for  payment  of  his  subsistence. 

Ordered.  That  Dr.  Beaumont  be  informed,  that  his  ap- 
plication must  be  made  to  the  Continental  Congress. 

The  proceedings  of  the  Committee  of  Amwell,  in  the 
County  of  Hunterdon,  respecting  a  certain  William  Steel, 
who  has  his  residence  in  the  County  of  Middlesex,  but, 
being  in  the  County  of  Hunterdon,  was  apprehended  by 
order  of  the  said  Committee;  being  transmitted  to  this 
Congress,  and  read  ; 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Steel  be  forthwith  brought  be- 
fore this  house  ;  whereupon  the  said  William  Steel  being 
brought  before  Congress,  the  proceedings  of  the  Commit- 
tee were  read  in  his  presence,  and,  being  heard  in  his 
defence ; 

Ordered,  That  he  be  committed  to  the  common  gaol  at 
Trenton. 

It  being  represented  to  Congress  that  the  levies  in 
Salem  County  are  obstructed  for  want  of  arras,  when,  at 
the  same  time,  there  are  in  the  County  a  sufficient  num- 
ber of  Jersey  arms,  which  are  the  publick  property  of 
the  county ;  therefore, 

Ordered,  That  the  people  of  that  County  do  supply 
such  of  the  levies,  in  the  present  brigade,  as  have  been 
or  may  be  raised  in  that  County,  with  the  publick  arms 

in 


502 


in  tlieir  hands,  and  that  the  County  Committee  be  en- 
joined to  see  this  order  properly  executed. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

A  letter  from  Colonel  Stephen  Hunt,  alledging  want  of 
health,  and  resigning  his  appointment  in  the  brigade 
under  General  Heard  ;  read,  and  his  resignation  accepted. 

The  draught  of  a  bill  for  regulating  the  ensuing  elec- 
tion, was  read  the  second  time ;  and  an  amendment  being 
moved,  that  no  person  be  entitled  to  a  seat  in  the  legis- 
lative Council  or  Assembly,  unless  he  first  take  the  fol- 
lowing test,  &c. : 

I,  A  B,  do  swear  (or  affirm)  that  I  do  not  hold  myself 
bound  to  bear  allegiance  to  George  the  Third,  King  of 
Great  Britain;  that  I  will  not  by  any  means  directly  or 
indirectly  oppose  the  measures  adopted  by  this  Colony, 
or  the  Continental  Congress,  against  the  tyranny  at- 
tempted to  be  established  over  these  Colonies  by  the 
court  of  Great  Britain ;  and  that  I  do  and  will  bear  true 
allegiance  to  the  government  established  in  this  Province 
under  the  authority  of  the  people. 

On  the  question, 
It  was  carried  in  the  affirmative  as  follows,  viz. : 


Yeas — 
Mr.  Camp, 


Dickinson,  Quackenbush, 

Josiah  Holmes,  Shaver, 

Leaming,  Van  Campen, 

Bloomfield,  Sinnickson, 

Dunn,  Cripps. 
Sergeant, 


Condict, 
Woodhull, 
Paterson, 
Hardenbergh, 
Linn, 


Nays — 

Mr.  Drummond,  Cooper, 


Combs, 
Reynolds, 
Tallman, 
Shreve. 


Joseph  Holmes,  Elmer, 
Mott,  Harris, 
Sparks,  Buck, 


After 


503 


After  some  time  spent  on  the  said  bill,  the  further  con- 
sideration thereof  was  deferred. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Covenhoven,  Mr.  Mehelm,  and  Mr. 
Sergeant,  be  a  Committee  to  examine  into  the  state  of 
the  Eastern  Treasury,  and  that  they  report  thereon. 

A  petition  of  Dr.  John  Hicks,  setting  forth,  that  he  is 
willing,  if  required,  to  be  bound  by  oath,  to  act  in  such 
manner  as  to  give  the  fullest  satisfaction  ;  that  whenever 
the  militia  is  called  out  in  defence  of  the  country,  he  will 
be  ready  to  give  his  attendance  as  a  surgeon,  or  in  any 
other  station  that  may  afford  the  most  benefit ;  and  pray- 
ing that  he  may  be  permitted  to  return  to  his  family  ; 
read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  petition  of  Cornelius  Williamson,  a  prisoner  in 
the  gaol  of  Trenton  ;  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Upon  the  question, 
Whether  any  of  the  persons  sent  under  guard  from 
Amboy,  be  permitted  to  return  in  order  to  remove  their 
effects  to  such  place  as  Congress  shall  appoint  for  a 
limited  time,  upon  their  parole  and  security,  if  required? 
It  was  carried  in  the  aflSrmative,  as  follows,  viz. : 


Saturday,  July  13. 


Yeas — 

Mr.  Drummond,  Cooper, 
Dickinson,  Elmer, 
Mott,  Bloomfield 
Josiah  Holmes,  Combs, 


Leaming, 
Quackeubush, 
Sinnickson, 
Shreve. 


Nays — 


504 


Nays — 

Mr.  Condict,  Sparks,  Van  Campen, 

Woodhull,         Buck,  Cripps, 
Covenhoven,     Sergeant,  Tallman. 
Joseph  Holmes, 

The  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  draught 
of  a  bill  for  regulating  the  ensuing  election  ;  and,  after 
some  time  spent  thereon. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  recommitted  to  Dr.  Bloom- 
field,  Mr.  Cooper,  and  Mr.  Sergeant. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Michael  Kearney  have  leave  to  re- 
move to  Burlington,  on  his  parole  not  to  depart  from 
thence  further  than  six  miles  on  the  east  side  of  Dela- 
ware, till  the  further  order  of  Congress. 

Ordered,  That  Philip  Kearney  have  leave  to  remove, 
on  his  parole,  to  the  dwelling  house  of  Mr.  Richard  Stev- 
ens, in  the  township  of  Alexandria,  and  county  of  Hun- 
terdon, or  to  Morristown,  and  not  to  depart  from  thence 
more  than  six  miles  without  leave  of  Congress. 

Ordered,  That  Dr.  John  Lawrence  have  leave  to  remove, 
on  his  parole,  to  Morristown,  and  not  to  depart  from 
thence,  more  than  six  miles,  without  leave  of  Congress. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Johnston  Fairholm  have  leave  on 
his  parole,  to  reside  at  Bordentown,  or  at  Mr.  Ruther- 
ford's, in  Hunterdon  County,  and  not  to  depart  from 
thence,  or  from  within  six  miles  thereof,  without  leave. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Bonnel  and  Mr.  Thomas  Skinner, 
have  leave,  on  their  parole,  to  reside  at  Cranberry  Town, 
and  not  to  depart  from  thence,  or  from  within  six  miles 
thereof,  without  leave. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Turnbull  have  leave,  on  his 
parole,  to  remove  to  Bordentown,  and  not  to  depart  more 
than  six  miles  from  thence  without  leave. 

Ordered, 


505 


Ordered,  That  Mr.  Hick  have  leave  to  return  home,  for 
the  present,  giving  bond  and  security  for  his  good  be- 
haviour, in  the  penalty  of  five  hundred  Pounds. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Stephen  Skinner  and  Captain  Ken- 
nedy have  leave,  on  their  parole,  to  reside  at  Morristown, 
and  not  to  remove  more  than  six  miles  from  thence. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  John  Richards  have  leave,  on  his 
parole,  and  security  in  the  penalty  of  one  thousand 
Pounds,  to  reside  on  his  own  farm,  and  not  to  depart 
more  than  two  miles  from  thence,  without  leave. 

Doctor  John  Hicks  having  come  into  Congress,  and 
taken  an  oath  to  the  present  government : 
Ordered,  That  he  have  leave  to  return  home. 

Ordered,  That  the  above  persons,  before  they  remove  to 
the  places  of  their  destination,  have  leave  to  remain  at 
home  two  days  in  order  to  settle  their  business. 

Adjourned  till  Monday  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Monday,  July  15. 

Met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  examine  into  the  state  of 
the  Eastern  Treasury,  made  report,  that  they  had  waited 
upon  Mr.  Smyth,  who  had  delivered  into  their  hands  the 
sum  of  four  thousand  nine  hundred  and  forty-four 
Pounds  nineteen  Shillings  and  six  Pence,  Proclamation 
money  ;  and  also  a  bag  sealed,  said  to  contain  a  quantity 
of  cancelled  paper  money. 

The  Committee  further  report  that  they  have  deliv- 
ered the  above  sum  of  money  and  bag  sealed,  to  John 
Stevens,  Esq.,  as  ordered  by  this  house,  to  be  by  him  de- 
posited in  the  Treasury  chest  of  this  Colony,  for  which 
they  have  taken  his  receipt ;  that  Mr.  Smyth,  the  Trea- 
surer, had  not  his  accounts  with  him,  but  has  returned 

home 


506 


home  in  order  to  collect  his  papers,  and  the  monies  out- 
standing, upon  his  parole  and  promise  to  prepare  himself 
for  settlement  in  a  short  time,  and  to  attend  the  further 
order  of  this  House. 

Ordered,  That  Nehemiah  Wade,  Esq.  be  Second  Major 
of  the  first  regiment  of  foot  militia  in  the  County  of 
Essex,  whereof  Edward  Thomas,  Esq.  is  Colonel. 

Ordered,  That  Dr.  William  Winans  be  Surgeon  to  the 
same  regiment. 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  recommitted  the  draught 
of  a  bill  for  regulating  the  ensuing  election,  made  report, 
which  was  read,  and,  after  sundry  amendments  agreed 
to,  and  ordered  to  be  engrossed. 

Resolved,  On  the  motion  of  the  members  of  the  County 
of  Salem,  That  the  election  in  that  County  be  by  ballot, 
and  that  it  be  held  at  the  Court  House  in  the  Town  of 
Salem,  without  removing  from  place  to  place,  any  thing 
in  the  ordinance  for  ascertaining  the  mode  and  places  of 
election  before  contained  to  the  contrary  notwithstand- 
ing. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  petition  of  Cornelius  Williamson,  a  disaffected 
person,  now  confined  in  the  common  gaol  of  Hunterdon, 
in  pursuance  of  the  adjudication  of  the  Amwell  Commit- 
tee, praying  that  he  may  have  an  immediate  hearing  ; 
read,  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Tuesday,  July  16. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered, 


507 


Ordered,  That  the  Deputy  Quartermaster  General  Col- 
onel Biddle,  and  his  assistants,  be  empowered,  in  case  of 
necessity,  to  impress  within  this  Colony  baggage  wag- 
gons and  horses  for  the  service  of  the  United  States  of 
North  America,  payiiig  a  reasonable  hire  for  their  ser- 
vice while  employed. 

A  letter  from  Adjutant  General  Reed,  informing  that 
Lord  Howe  is  arrived  at  the  Hook,  and  the  necessity  of 
urging  on,  with  all  expedition,  the  new  levies  raising  in 
this  Colony  ;  read,  and  ordered  to  be  filed. 

A  petition  from  Samuel  Wigton,  a  debtor  confined  in 
the  gaol  of  Morris,  setting  forth,  that  he  was  enlisted  as 
a  sergeant  in  Captain  Morris's  company,  in  the  battalion 
now  under  the  command  Colonel  Winds;  that  before  the 
said  company  left  the  County  of  Morris  he  was  arrested 
for  debt,  and  committed  to  the  gaol  of  Morris;  and  that 
he  has  several  sums  of  money  due  to  him  from  sundry 
persons  in  the  battalion  aforesaid,  which,  when  recovered, 
are  sufficient  to  discharge  his  debts  ;  praying  that  he  may 
have  time  for  the  payment  of  his  debts ;  that  he  may  be 
released  from  imprisonment,  and  that  he  ma}'  be  ordered 
to  join  his  battalion,  or  any  other  this  Congress  may 
think  proper  ;  and  also  a  testimonial  thereunder  written, 
signed  by  sundry  persons,  in  support  of  the  facts  con- 
tained in  the  said  petition;  read,  and  ordered  to  lie  on 
the  table. 

Ordered,  That  Dr.  William  Burnet  be  added  to  the 
number  of  Commissioners  for  East  New  Jersey,  and  that 
he  have  the  like  authority  as  is  given  to  the  Commis- 
sioners nominated  in  the  ordinance  of  the  late  Congress 
for  striking  the  sum  of  fifty  thousand  Pounds. 

Resolved,  That  the  several  Township  Committees 
throughout  this  Colony,  do  immediately  exert  themselves 
in  procuring  lead  for  the  use  of  the  army  now  engaged 
in  our  defence,  as  the  demand  for  that  article  is  very 
great  and  pressing ;  that  to  this  end  they  do  forthwith 
collect  all  the  leaden  weights  from  windows  and  clocks, 

and 


508 


and  all  leaden  weights  of  shops,  stores  and  mills,  of  one 
pound  weight  and  upwards;  also  all  other  lead  in  and 
about  houses,  or  other  places;  and  that  they  forward  all 
the  lead  which  shall  by  them  be  so  collected  to  the  hands 
of  Alexander  Chambers,  Abraham  Hunt,  David  Pinker- 
ton,  and  William  Tucker,  of  Trenton  ;  Hendrick  Fisher, 
of  Somerset  County,  Azariah  Dunham,  of  New  Bruns- 
wick, John  Koss,  of  Woodbridge,  Isaac  Woodruff,  Eliza- 
bethtown,  and  Dr.  William  Burnet,  of  Newark,  or  any  of 
them,  Commissioners  appointed  for  purchasing  arms,  &c. 
And  the  said  Commissioners  are  directed  to  pay  for  all 
such  lead,  at  the  rate  of  six  pence  Proclamation  money 
the  pound  weight;  together  with  the  reasonable  expence 
that  may  arise  in  forwarding  the  same. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Captain  Kinney  appeared  before  this  House,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  citation  issued  by  this  Congress,  for  a 
charge  of  loitering  on  the  road  to  Connecticut,  with  the 
late  Governor  Franklin,  and  now,  upon  examining  into 
the  causes  of  complaint,  it  appears  to  this  House  that 
whatever  delay  arose  thereon  was  inevitable,  owing  to 
no  misconduct  in  Captain  Kinney,  but  to  accidental 
causes. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  of  Trenton  respecting 
Samuel  Henry,  was  read  the  second  time,  and  Mr.  Henry 
being  duly  notified,  appeared  before  Congress;  the 
charges  against  him  were  read,  several  witnesses  exam- 
ined, and  the  further  hearing  of  the  same  deferred  till 
to-morrow  morning. 

Whereas,  It  has  been  represented  to  this  Congress, 
that  Henry  Cujder,  Esq.,  is  so  extremely  indisposed  as  to 
render  his  removal  very  dangerous  ;  therefor. 

Ordered,  That  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  New- 
ark take  the  parole,  drawn  in  the  usual  manner,  of  Mr. 
Cuyler,  to  remain  for  the  present  in  his  dwelling  house 

at 


509 


at  Newark,  or  witliin  two  miles  tliereof,  he  giving  bond, 
with  security,  in  the  penalty  of  one  thousand  Pounds, 
for  the  faithful  observance  of  his  parole. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Sergeant,  Mr.  Hugg  and  Mr.  Elmer, 
be  a  Committee  to  draught  an  ordinance  for  punishing 
traitors  and  counterfeiters  of  the  Continental  and  Pro- 
vincial currencies. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning  eight  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  July  17. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  petition  from  sundry  ladies  at  Perth  Araboy,  setting 
forth,  that  they  apprehend  fatal  and  melancholy  conse- 
quences to  themselves  and  families,  and  to  the  inhabi- 
tants in  general,  if  they  should  be  deprived  of  the  assist- 
ance of  Dr.  Lawrence's  skill  in  his  profession,  as  his 
attendance  is  hourly  necessary  to  several  patients  now 
much  indisposed,  who  will  be  left  helpless  if  he  be 
removed,  as  no  other  practitioner  resides  in  that  place, 
praying  that  he  may  be  permitted  to  remain  in  Amboy ; 
was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Adjourned  to  two  o'clock  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  draught  an  ordinance  for 
punishing  traitors  and  counterfeiters,  made  report,  which 
was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  petition  of  George  Woodward,  setting  forth  the 
distressed  situation  of  the  wife  and  children  of  Anthony 
Woodward,  who  has  been  hunted  by  bands  of  armed 
men,  and  driven,  contrary  to  his  intention,  to  the  king's 
troops  for  shelter  and  protection,  praying  that  he  may 

return 


510 


return  to  his  rank  and  station  in  the  community;  was 
read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

A  letter  from  the  Committee  of  Newark,  requesting 
that  this  Congress  would  procure,  or  order  to  be  built, 
four  gondolas  or  row-gallies,  mounted  with  cannon,  to 
ply  between  the  mouths  of  Passaick  and  Hackinsack 
rivers  and  Perth  Amboy ;  also  informing  Congress  that 
four  persons  were  confined  in  the  gaol  of  Essex,  at  the 
desire  of  the  Secret  Committee  of  New  York,  enclosing 
their  examinations,  and  some  affidavits  concerning  them, 
and  requesting  that  this  Congress  would  take  some  order 
therein  ;  was  read,  whereupon. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  examinations  and  affidavits  be 
referred  to  the  Secret  Committee  appointed  by  this  Con- 
gress. 

The  petition  from  sundry  ladies  at  Perth  Amboy,  was 
read  the  second  time,  and  ordered  that  a  copy  of  the  fol- 
lowing letter,  addressed  to  Mrs.  Franklin,  one  of  the  sub- 
scribers, be  signed  by  the  President,  and  sent : 

Madam  :  I  am  ordered  by  Congress  to  acquaint  you, 
and  through  you  the  other  ladies  of  Amboy,  that  their 
petition,  in  favour  of  Dr.  John  Lawrence,  has  been  re- 
ceived and  considered.  . 

Could  any  application  have  procured  a  greater  indul- 
gence to  Dr.  Lawrence,  you  may  be  assured  yours  could 
not  have  failed  of  success.  But,  unhappily,  madam,  we 
are  placed  in  such  a  situation,  that  motives  of  commis- 
seration  to  individuals  must  give  place  to  the  safety  of 
the  publick. 

As  Dr.  Lawrence  therefore  has  fallen  under  the  suspi- 
cion of  our  generals,  we  are  under  the  necessity  of 
abiding  by  the  steps  which  are  taken  ;  And  are,  &c. 

Ordered,  That  Thomas  Okeson  be  committed  to  the 
common  gaol  of  Hunterdon,  the  keeper  whereof  is  here- 
by commanded  to  receive  the  said  Okeson  into  his  cus- 
tody, and  to  keep  him  in  close  confinement  until  the  fur- 
ther order  of  this  Congress,  or  the  future  Legislature  of 
this  State. 

Congress 


511 


Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  charges  ex- 
hibited against  Samuel  Henry,  and  came  to  the  following 
determination  : 

Ordered,  That  Samuel  Henry  be  committed  to  the  com- 
mon gaol  of  Hunterdon,  the  keeper  whereof  is  hereby 
commanded  to  receive  the  said  Samuel  Henry  into  his 
custody,  and  to  keep  him  in  close  confinement  until  the 
further  order  of  this  Congress,  or  future  Legislature  of 
this  State. 

Letter  from  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq.  en- 
closing resolves  of  the  Continental  Congress,  requiring 
an  addition  of  two  thousand  of  the  militia  of  this  State 
to  the  flying  camp ;  read,  and  referred  to  Mr.  Mehelm, 
Mr.  Ellis,  and  Mr.  Patersou. 

Whereas,  the  Honourable  Continental  Congress  have 
declared  the  United  Colonies,  Free  and  Independent 
States;  We,  the  Deputies  of  New  Jersey,  in  Provincial 
Congress  assembled,  do  resolve  and  declare,  That  we  will 
support  the  freedom  and  independence  of  the  said  States 
with  our  lives  and  fortunes,  and  with  the  whole  force  of 
New  Jersey. 

Adjourned  till  eight  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Thursday,  July  18. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  this  House  from  henceforth,  instead  of 
the  style  and  title  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New 
Jersey,  do  adopt  and  assume  the  style  and  title  of  the 
Convention  of  the  State  of  New  Jersey. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Isaac  Smith  be  directed  to  em- 
ploy some  officer  of  the  militia  to  apprehend  Samuel 
Henry,  and  deliver  him,  together  with  the  order  of  this 
Convention  for  his  commitment,  to  the  keeper  of  the 
common  gaol  at  Trenton. 

The 


512 


The  report  of  the  Committee  for  draugliting  an  ordi- 
nance for  punishing  traitors,  &c. ;  read  a  second  time, 
and  ordered  a  third  reading. 

The  Committee  to  whom  were  referred  the  resolves  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  &c.  made  report,  which  was 
read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  for  draughting  an  ordi- 
nance for  punishing  traitors,  &c. ;  read  a  third  time, 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  engrossed  and  do  pass. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  to  whom  were  referred 
the  resolves  of  the  Continental  Congress,  &c. ;  read  a 
second  time,  and  ordered  a  third  reading. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

On  the  question. 

Whether  William  Ellis,  Esq.  or  Elijah  Hand,  Esq.  be 
Major  of  the  battalion  of  militia  to  be  raised  in  the  coun- 
ties of  Burlington,  Gloucester  and  Cumberland?  It  was 
carried  as  follows,  viz. : 


For  W.  Ellis,  Esq.— 

Mr.  Drummond,  Sparks, 

Paterson,  Clark, 

Hardenbergh,  Hugg, 

Mehelm,  Ellis, 
Joseph  Holmes,  Bloomfield, 

Mott,  Combs, 

For  E.  Hand,  Esq.— 

Mr.  Condict,  Harris, 
Josiah  Holmes,  Buck, 
Elmer,  Bowen, 
Ayers, 

The  report  of  the  Committee  to  whom  were  referred 
the  resolves  of  the  Continental  Congress,  read  a  third 
time;  and,  after  sundry  amendments. 

Ordered,  unanimously.  That  the  same  do  pass. 

The 


Van  Campen, 

Sinnicksou, 

Cripps, 

Tallman, 

Shreve. 


Sergeant, 

Post, 

Taylor, 


513 


The  petition  of  Ebenezer  Cowel,  jun.,  setting  forth, 
that  Joim  Barnes,  Esq.,  High  Sheriff  of  the  County  of 
Hunterdon,  had  refused  to  receive  and  execute  two  writs 
issued  under  the  authority  of  the  people,  pursuant  to  the 
ordinance  of  this  Convention,  read  ;  whereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Barnes  immediately  attend  this 
House. 

Mr.  Barnes  appeared  before  this  House,  and,  in  answer 
to  the  above  charge,  informed  the  Convention  that  he 
declines  acting  as  Sheriff  under  the  authority  of  the 
people,  and  is  willing  to  be  superseded;  wherefore, 

Resolved,  That  a  new  Sheriff  be  appointed. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Friday,  July  19. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Committee  of  Burlington  County  having  called 
before  them  Drury  Wake,  Esq.,  on  a  charge  of  his  being 
inimical  to  the  liberties  of  this  country ;  and,  having 
made  adjudication  thereof,  the  said  Drury  Wake  refused 
to  abide  thereby,  and  appealed  to  this  Convention ;  the 
Committee  made  report  of  their  proceedings,  which  being 
read  in  the  presence  of  the  said  Wake,  and  proof  being 
given  concerning  the  same  ; 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Drury  Wake,  Esq.,  be  commit- 
ted to  the  common  gaol  of  Salem,  the  keeper  whereof  is 
hereby  commanded  to  receive  him  into  his  custody,  and 
keep  him  in  close  confinement  until  the  further  order  of 
this  Convention,  or  future  Legislature  of  this  State. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Joseph  Borden  be  directed  to 
employ  some  officer  of  the  militia,  with  such  guard  as 
may  be  necessary,  to  deliver  Drury  Wake,  Esq.,  together 
with  the  order  of  this  Convention  for  his  commitment,  to 
the  keeper  of  the  common  gaol  of  Salem. 

Whereas  Drury  Wake,  Esq.,  appeared  before  the 
County  Committee  of  Burlington,  on  a  charge  of  his 
being  inimical  to  the  liberties  of  this  country;  which 

Committee, 

34 


514 


Committee,  after  hearing  proofs  and  allegations,  made  an 
adjudication  on  said  charge,  and  the  aforesaid  Drury 
Wake  appealed  from  the  adjudication  of  the  said  Com- 
mittee to  tliis  Convention  : 

Resolved  therefore,  That  the  said  Drury  Wake  pay  all 
the  costs  arising  on  the  above  prosecution,  including  the 
expense  of  taking  him  to  the  gaol  of  Salem,  to  be  taxed 
by  the  County  Committee  of  Burlington. 

Mr.  William  Smith  appeared  before  the  Convention 
upon  a  charge  exhibited  against  him  by  the  Committee 
of  Woodbridge ;  and  after  hearing  and  considering  the 
several  matters  alledged  and  proved  relative  to  the  said 
charge,  this  House  are  of  opinion  that  no  offence  appears 
to  have  been  made  good  against  him,  and  do  therefore 
discharge  him  from  all  further  attendance  on  this  House, 
or  on  said  Committee,  unless  some  new  charge  be  made 
appear  by  which  he  shall  be  found  guilty  of  some  offence 
against  the  State. 

Ordered,  That  Ebenezer  Foster,  Esq.,  have  leave,  on 
his  parole,  and  security  in  the  sum  of  one  thousand 
Pounds,  to  remove  to  the  publick  house  of  Mr.  White, 
in  Barnard's-town.  in  the  County  of  Somerset,  and  not  to 
go  more  than  six  miles  from  thence  unless  with  leave  of 
this  Convention,  or  the  future  Legislature  of  this  State. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 
Met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Mr.  Conrad  Hendricks  was  brought  before  this  Con- 
vention upon  a  charge  transmitted  against  him  by  the 
Committee  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New  York;  and, 
after  hearing  and  considering  the  several  matters  alledged 
against  him,  this  House  are  of  opinion  that  no  offence 
has  been  proved  against  him,  and  do  therefore  discharge 
him  from  all  further  attendance  on  this  House,  unless 
some  new  charge  be  made  appear  by  which  he  shall  be 
found  guilty  of  some  offence  against  the  State. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  six  o'clock. 

Saturday, 


515 


Saturday,  July  20.  • 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  petition  of  Samuel  Henry,  setting  forth,  that  he  is 
desirous  of  giving  every  reasonable  satisfaction  in  his 
power  tliat  may  obviate  any  prejudices  remaining  on  the 
minds  of  the  Convention ;  that  he  is  ready  to  make  acknowl- 
edgments for  any  rash  expressions  that  Convention  may 
conceive  he  has  been  guilty  of,  and  for  every  part  of  his 
conduct  that  has  been,  in  their  opinion,  exceptionable; 
that  it  is  his  fixed  resolution  so  to  conduct  himself  in 
future,  as  to  afford  no  further  room  for  just  offence;  that 
he  is  ready  to  give  any  security  the  Convention  may 
think  necessary  to  require ;  and  praying  that  he  may  be 
released  from  his  confinement; 

Ordered,  That,  for  the  contrition  expressed  in  the  above 
petition,  Samuel  Henry  be  discharged  from  his  confine- 
ment, and  have  leave,  on  his  parole,  drawn  in  the  usual 
form,  and  giving  bond,  with  security,  in  the  sum  of  two 
thousand  Pounds,  for  the  faithful  performance  of  his 
parole,  to  remove  to  his  mills  in  Trenton,  and  there,  or 
within  a  circle  of  two  miles  thereof,  continue,  and  not  to 
depart  said  bounds  unless  with  leave  of  this  Convention, 
or  the  future  Legislature  of  this  State. 

Ordered,  That  William  Tucker,  Esq.,  of  Trenton,  be 
Sheriff"  of  the  County  of  Hunterdon  until  a  Sheriff  be 
chosen  for  said  County  at  the  ensuing  election,  and  that 
a  commission  be  made  out  accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  the  commanding  officer  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania troops  now  at  or  near  Trenton,  be  desired  to  appre- 
hend Joseph  Stansbury,  a  suspected  person  from  Phila- 
delphia, and  transmit  him  safely  to  the  Committee  of 
Inspection  of  that  city,  who  are  requested  to  prevent  his 
rambling  through  this  State,  and  prying  into  our  un- 
happy situation. 

Ordered,  That  Peter  Tallman,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  the 
County  Committee  of  Burlington,  be  directed  to  take  the 

parole 


516 


parole  of  the  Rev.  .Tonatlian  Odell,  a  person  suspected  of 
being  inimical  to  American  liberty;  that  he  confine  him- 
self on  the  east  side  of  Delaware  river,  within  a  circle  of 
eight  miles  from  the  Court  House  in  the  city  of  Burling- 
ton. 

Adjourned  to  N.  Brunswick,  Monday,  3  o'clock  P.  M. 

Monday,  July  22. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


Tuesday,  July  23. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Whereas,  the  Honourable  Continental  Congress  have 
resolved,  "That  it  be  earnestly  recommended  to  the  Con- 
"  vention  of  New  Jersey,  to  cause  all  the  stock  on  the  sea 
"coast,  which  they  shall  apprehend  to  be  in  danger  of 
"  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  to  be  immediately 
"  removed  and  driven  back  into  the  country  to  a  place 
"  of  safety."  And  whereas,  this  Convention  deem  it  neces- 
sary that  the  above  resolution  should  be  carried  into  im- 
mediate effect,  particularly  in  the  County  of  Monmouth, 
which  is  at  present  most  exposed  to  depredations,  It  is 
therefore  unanimously  resolved  and  directed,  That  the  County 
Committee  of  Monmouth  proceed,  without  delay,  to  re- 
move all  the  stock  on  their  coast  which  may  be  in  dan- 
ger of  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  back  into  the 
country,  to  a  place  or  places  of  safety. 

Convention  being  informed  that  Colonel  Hendrickson, 
of  Monmouth,  was  at  the  door  and  desired  admittance. 
Ordered,  That  he  attend. 

Colonel  Hendrickson  informed  Convention  that  the 
Monmouth  coast  was  exposed  extremely  to  the  incursions 

and 


517 


and  depredations  of  the  enemy,  and  requested  that  a 
guard  might  be  stationed  along  said  coast,  and  main- 
tained at  the  publick  expence. 

He  further  informed  Convention  that  some  of  his 
negro  slaves  had  run  off,  and  were  on  board  the  enemy's 
fleet ;  that  he  had  reason  to  believe  he  could  recover  the 
said  slaves  if  he  were  permitted  to  send  a  flag,  and  re- 
questing that,  thro'  the  interference  of  this  House,  he 
might  have  such  permission. 

The  Convention  took  the  latter  requisition  under  con- 
sideration, and  agreed  unanimously,  that  the  sending  of 
flags  comes  properly  within  the  Department  of  Brigadier 
General  Mercer,  and  that  they  could  no  further  interfere 
on  the  occasion  than  to  write  a  letter  of  introduction  to 
the  General  in  favour  of  Colonel  Hendrickson. 

The  petition  of  Richard  Walker,  setting  forth,  that  a 
legacy  of  nine  hundred  Pounds,  sterling,  was  bequeathed 
to  him  by  his  uncle,  who  resided  in  England,  to  be  paid 
on  the  decease  of  his  grandmother,  who  was  living  in  the 
autumn  of  the  year  1775 ;  that  if  he  should  take  up 
arms  against  the  kingdom  of  Great  Britain  he  should  lose 
the  above  legacy ;  and  praying  that  he  may  be  exempted 
from  bearing  arms  against  the  said  kingdom,  on  engag- 
ing that  he  will  not  be  concerned  in  any  measures  that 
may  prove  ruinous  to  the  liberty  or  interest  of  the 
United  States  ;  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Elmer  be  added  to  the  Committee 
appointed  to  examine  into  the  state  of  the  Eastern  Trea- 
sury. 

Ordered,  That  the  Committee  appointed  to  examine  in- 
to the  state  of  the  Eastern  Treasury,  proceed  forthwith 
to  Amboy ;  that  they  be  and  hereby  are  vested  with  full 
power  to  bring,  if  they  should  deem  it  necessary,  Mr. 
Smyth,  the  Treasurer,  to  this  place,  with  the  money  in 
the  said  Treasury  ;  and  all  the  vouchers,  documents  and 

other 


518 


otlier  papers  relative  thereto;  and  tliat  the  said  Commit- 
tee call  to  their  aid  such  force  as  they  may  think  neces- 
sary to  carry  this  order  into  effect. 

Agreed  that  the  commission  of  James  Mount,  Esq.,  a 
field  officer  in  the  third  battalion  of  the  Monmouth 
militia,  be,  and  it  hereby  is  revoked. 

Ordered,  That  Oake  WikofF,  Esq.,  be  Lieutenant  Colonel, 
Denice  Denice,  Esq.,  First  Major,  and  Hendrick  Van 
Brunt,  Esq.,  be  Second  Major  of  the  third  battalion  of 
foot  militia  in  the  County  of  Monmouth. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning  eight  o'clock. 


Wednesday,  July  24. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  letter  from  General  Washington,  informing  that  the 
brigade  under  General  Heard  was  far  from  being  com- 
plete, and  urging  the  necessity  of  raising  and  forwarding 
the  new  levies  destined  to  reinforce  the  army  at  New 
York,  was  read  ;  whereupon, 

Ordered,  That  a  letter  be  written  to  General  Washing- 
ton, informing  that  several  companies  were  on  their  way 
to  join  the  brigade,  and  that  this  Convention  will  use  its 
utmost  efforts  to  furnish  its  quota,  and  to  give  His  Excel- 
lency such  other  aid  as  the  weal  of  the  United  States 
may  require,  and  the  condition  of  this  State  will  admit. 

Also  ordered,  That  a  letter  be  written  to  Brigadier 
General  Heard,  desiring  that  he  would,  without  delay, 
make  return  to  Convention  of  the  number  of  men  in  the 
several  companies  in  his  brigade,  and  by  what  Counties 
those  companies  were  furnished. 

Convention  received  a  letter  from  the  War  Office  of 
the  20th  of  July,  referring  to  this  Convention  the  pro- 
priety of  Bryan  LefFerty,  Esquire,  his  residing  in  New 
Jersey,  and  to  take  his  parole  and  security. 

Ordered, 


519 


Ordered,  That  Mr.  LefFerty  do  sign  his  parole  as  settled 
by  Congress,  and  give  security  in  the  sum  of  one  tliou- 
sand  Pounds,  to  depart  hence  to  the  house  of  the  widow 
LefFerty,  in  the  Township  of  Bedininister,  in  Somerset 
County,  and  there  to  remain,  or  within  a  circle  of  four 
miles  thereof,  until  he  have  leave  to  the  contrary. 

Ordered,  That  Dr.  William  Winants  be  surgeon  to  the 
battalion  directed  to  be  detached  from  the  militia  in  the 
Counties  of  Bergen,  Essex  and  Morris,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Colonel  Thomas,  destined  to  reinforce  the  flying 
camp. 

Ordered,  That  Dr.  John  Hammell  be  Surgeon's  Mate 
to  the  battalion  directed  to  be  raised  in  the  C-ounties  of 
Bergen,  Essex  and  Burlington,  whereof  Philip  Van  Cort- 
land, Esq.,  is  Colonel,  under  the  command  of  General 
Heard,  destined  to  reinforce  the  army  at  New  York. 

Ordered,  That  Doctor  Bodo  Otto,  Jun.,  be  Surgeon  to 
the  battalion  directed  to  be  detached  from  the  militia  in 
the  Counties  of  Burlington,  Gloucester  and  Cumberland, 
to  be  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Charles  Read,  des- 
tined to  reinforce  the  flying  camp. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Tallman,  Dr.  Bloomfield  and  Mr. 
Frelinghuysen,  be  a  Committee  to  draught  a  bill  for 
amending  the  militia  ordinance. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Agreeable  to  certificate  of  election, 

Ordered,  That  Jacob  Vanderventer  be  Captain,  and 
Abraham  Terhune,  First  Lieutenant,  of  a  company  in 
the  first  battalion  of  militia  in  Middlesex  County. 

Whereas,  The  independent  company  in  the  County 
of  Essex,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Drummond, 
has  been  greatly  reduced  by  reason  of  promotion  and 

otherwise ; 


520 


otherwise;  And  ivhereas,  it  is  inexpedient  to  take  from 
other  companies  in  order  to  add  to  or  keep  up  the  proper 
number  of  the  said  independent  company;  It  is  therefore 
agreed  unanimously,  That  the  said  company  be  forthwith 
dissolved,  and  be  incorporated  with  the  other  militia  in 
the  several  companies  in  the  districts  in  which  they  re- 
spectively reside. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning  eight  o'clock. 


Thursday,  July  25. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered,  That  Dr.  Bloomfield,  Mr.  Drummond,  Mr. 
Quakenbush,  Mr.  Ogden  and  Mr.  Brown,  be  a  Committee 
to  consider  the  propriety  of  building  or  purchasing  of 
four  gondolas  or  row  gallies,  mounted  with  cannon,  to 
ply  between  the  mouths  of  Passaick  and  Hackinsack 
rivers  and  Perth  Am  boy. 

Richard  Stites,  Esq.,  Captain  of  a  compan)'  in  the 
County  of  Somerset,  resigned  his  commission,  assigning 
ioT  reason,  that  he  was  appointed  to  raise  a  company  in 
the  brigade  under  General  Heard  ;  and  that  he  had  re- 
moved out  of  the  Township  in  which  his  company 
reside ; 

Ordered,  That  his  resignation  be  accepted. 

Micajah  Dunn,  Esq.,  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  first 
regiment  of  foot  militia  in  the  County  of  Midlesex,  re- 
signed his  commission,  assigning  for  reason,  that  he  is  so 
far  advanced  in  li*'e,  and  of  so  infirm  a  state  of  health, 
as  to  render  it  impossible  for  him  fully  to  discharge  the 
duty  of  his  station  ; 

Ordered,  That  his  resignation  be  accepted. 

Ordered,  That  Jonathan  Deare,  Esq.,  be  Lieutenant 
Colonel,  and  John  Dunn,  Esq.,  First  Major  of  the  first 
battalion  of  foot  militia  in  the  County  of  Middlesex. 

Convention 


5-21 


Convention  received  a  letter  from  the  Honourable 
John  Hancock,  Esq.,  dated  the  22d  instant,  informing 
that  Congress  had  come  to  a  resolution  to  increase  the 
flying  camp.  For  this  purpose,  that  the  State  of  New 
Jersey  is  desired  to  augment  its  quota  with  three  battal- 
ions of  militia  in  addition  to  those  formerly  desired  by 
Congress,  and  send  them,  with  all  possible  despatch,  to 
join  the  flying  camp.  Whereupon, 

Ordered,  That  a  letter  be  written  to  Congress,  inform- 
ing that  Convention  had  ordered  two  thousand  of  its 
militia  to  be  detached  pursuant  to  the'late  requisition  of 
Congress,  which  are  to  be  renewed  montli'ly. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  draught  for 
amending  the  Militia  Ordinance,  made  report,  which 
was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Peter  Gordon  be  Brigade  Major 
of  the  brigade  under  the  command  of  General  Heard, 
and  that  he  continue  Captain  of  the  company  under  his 
command  in  the  battalion  whereof  David  Forman,  Esq., 
is  Colonel. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning  nine  o'clock. 

Friday,  July  26. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Committee  of  Inspection  for  the  city  of  New  Bruns- 
wick, having  referred  the  case  of  Mr.  John  Hortwick  to 
this  Convention,  the  same  was  taken  under  consideration, 
and  it  appearing  by  a  testimonial  of  the  said  Committee, 
that  the  aforesaid  John  Hortwick  has  always  been 
esteemed  as  a  good  citizen,  and  a  hearty  friend  to  this 
country ;  that  he  is  a  military  associator,  and  as  such 

has 


522 


has  turned  out  on  all  occasions  when  required:  and  this 
Convention  being  of  opinion,  that  he  was  induced  to 
trade  with  the  Captain  of  the  Asia  ship  of  war  to  fulfil 
an  oath  which  had  been  exacted  from  him  by  the  said 
Captain,  and  to  regain  the  liberty  of  himself  and  sons, 
and  not  with  any  intention  of  abetting  the  enemies  of 
America;  and  that  he  has  manifested  a  becoming  de- 
gree of  contrition  for  his  offence.  It  is  agreed  unaaimously, 
That  the  said  John  Hortwick  be  forgiven,  received  into 
favour,  and  restored  to  the  good  opinion  of  his  country- 
men. 

Wherkas  by  a  resolution  of  the  late  Provincial  Con- 
gress it  was,  in  the  election  of  the  County  Committee  of 
Bergen,  either  to  receive  pay  for  the  arms  taken  by 
Captain  Meeker,  or  to  have  them  replaced :  And  whereas 
the  said  Committee  have  made  choice  of  accepting  pay 
for  the  arms,  of  which  it  appears  there  were  seventy- 
nine  stand ;  therefore.  It  is  ordered,  That  either  of  the 
Treasurers  of  this  State  pay  Johannes  Dematest,  Esq., 
Doctor  Abraham  Van  Boskirk,  and  Jacobus  Post,  Esq., 
or  any  of  them,  persons  authorized  by  the  Committee  for 
that  purpose,  the  sum  of  three  hundred  and  fifty-five 
Pounds  ten  Shillings,  Proclamation  money,  being  the 
amount  of  the  aforesaid  seventy-nine  stand  of  arms  at 
the  rate  of  four  Pounds  ten  Shillings  a  piece;  and  that 
the  receipt  of  the  above  named  persons,  or  any  of  them, 
shall  be  a  sufficient  voucher  for  that  sum. 

The  Committee  of  Inspection  for  the  city  of  New  Bruns- 
wick, having  referred  the  case  of  John  Brown  and  Jacob 
Neifies,  persons  employed  by  John  Hortwick  to  purchase 
some  provision  for  the  Asia  ship  of  war,  to  this  Conven- 
tion, the  same  was  considered  accordingly;  it  appearing 
that  the  said  John  Brown  and  Jacob  Neifies  procured 
the  said  provision  solely  with  design  to  assist  the  said 
Hortwick,  their  neighbour,  in  his  distress,  and  not  to  aid 
the  enemies  of  this  country;  that  they  have  manifested 
due  contrition  for  their  offence,  and  requested  forgive- 
ness therefor:  It  is  therefore  ordered,  That  the  said  John 
Brown  and  Jacob  Neifies  be  forgiven,  received  into 

favour, 


523 


favour,  and  restored  to  the  good  opinion  of  their  country- 
men. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered,  That  the  Committee  of  the  Township  of  Hills- 
l)orough,  in  the  County  of  Somerset,  do  leave  in  the 
liands  of  Mr.  Isaac  Brokaw,  clockmaker,  thirty  pounds 
weight  of  lead,  he  having  represented  to  the  Convention 
that  he  could  not  carry  on  his  trade  without  such  quantity. 

Adjourned  till  eight  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Saturday,  July  27. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Agreeable  to  certificate  of  election, 

Ordered,  That  David  De  Groot,  Esq.,  be  Captain  of  a 
company  in  the  first  battalion  of  foot  militia  in  Somerset 
County,  whereof  Stephen  Hunt,  Esq.,  is  Colonel. 

The  memorial  of  Jerome  Vanderbelt,  of  the  city  of 
New  Brunswick,  setting  forth,  that  two  of  his  apprentices 
had  enlisted  in  the  brigade  under  General  Heard ;  that 
he  is  a  hearty  friend  to  his  country;  that  he  cannot  well 
carry  on  his  business  without  the  aid  of  one  of  them  ; 
and  praying  the  influence  of  this  House  that  one  of  his 
said  apprentices  may  be  returned  ;  read,  and  ordered  to 
lie  on  the  table. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  John  Cook,  of  Monmouth,  be 
directed  to  take  to  his  assistance  as  many  of  the  militia 
as  he  shall  find  necessary,  and  apprehend  any  persons 
whom  he  has  reason  to  suspect  of  enlisting,  or  being  en- 
listed for  the  British  army,  and  to  take  them  before  the 
County  Committee  of  Monmouth,  who  are  required  to 

commit 


524 


commit  or  discharge  such  accused  persons  as  tliey  shall 
find  necessary. 

Adjourned  to  tliree  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  General  Mercer,  in  conjunction  with  the 
Committee  of  Perth  Ambo}',  or  such  of  them  as  can 
be  readily  convened,  do  take  immediate  steps  for  remov- 
ing all  such  disaffected  or  suspicious  persons  in  that  city 
as  may,  from  their  situation,  be  thought  dangerous  to  the 
public  cause;  especially  such  as  have  relations  or  con- 
nexions among  the  enemy. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon,  on  Monday  next. 


Monday,  July  29. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Jacob  Wardell,  Joseph  Wardell,  and  Peter  Wardell, 
persons  apprehended  by  a  detachment  of  the  Monmouth 
militia,  on  account  of  furnishing  the  enemy  with  provi- 
sion, were  brought  before  the  House,  and  witnesses  ex- 
amined in  support  of  the  charge; 

Ordered,  That  the  determination  thereof  be  deferred 
till  to-morrow. 

Ordered,  Upon  the  complaint  and  representation  of  the 
Committee  of  the  western  precinct  of  Somerset  County, 
that  Joseph  Stockton  be  committed  to  the  common  gaol 
of  Somerset,  the  keeper  whereof  is  hereby  commanded  to 
receive  him  into  his  custody,  and  to  keep  him  in  close 
confinement  until  the  further  order  of  this  Convention, 
or  future  Legislature  of  this  State. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


Tuesday. 


525 


Tuesday,  July  30. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Convention  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  charge 
against  Jacob  Wardell,  Joseph  Wardell,  and  Peter  War- 
dell  ;  and,  after  some  time  spent  therein, 

Ordered,  That  Jacob  Wardell  be  committed  to  the  cus- 
tody of  the  Sheriff  of  Monmouth,  to  be  by  him  safely 
kept  until  discharged  by  this  Convention,  or  delivered 
by  due  course  of  law. 

Ordered,  That  Joseph  Wardell  and  Peter  Wardell  be 
discharged  on  giving  bond,  each  with  security  in  the 
sum  of  five  hundred  pounds  for  their  future  good  be- 
haviour, and  for  their  appearance  when  called  upon  by 
the  Convention,  or  future  Legislature  of  this  State.  Tlie 
County  Committee  of  Monmouth  are  directed  to  take  the 
said  bond,  and  to  judge  of  the  security. 

Ordered,  That  Jacob  Wardell  pay  twenty-eight  Pounds 
seven  Shillings  and  eleven  Pence,  Proclamation  money, 
being  the  expense  of  apprehending  and  bringing  him  be- 
fore this  Convention,  and  conducting  him  to  the  Sheriff 
of  Monmouth. 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  letter  from 
the  Committee  of  Newark,  respecting  the  building  or 
purchase  of  four  gondolas  or  row-gallies,  to  ply  between 
the  mouths  of  Passaick  and  Hackinsack  rivers  and  Perth 
Amboy,  made  report;  which  was  read,  and  ordered  a 
second  reading. 

Ordered,  That  Thomas  Hutton  be  employed,  at  the  rate 
of  one  dollar  a  day,  to  search  for  lead  and  sulphur 
mines,  and  flint  quarries,  and  make  report  in  three  weeks. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

.  Met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  examine  into  the  state  of 
the  Eastern  Treasury,  made  report,  that,  including  the 

money 


526 


money  by  them  received  at  Trenton,  as  by  their  former 
report,  they  had  received  in  the  whole  from  John  Smyth, 
Esq.  the  h\te  Treasurer,  the  sum  of  six  thousand  one 
hundred  and  one  Pounds  two  Shillings,  Proclamation 
money,  besides  a  bag  sealed,  said  to  contain  four  thou- 
sand eight  hundred  and  nineteen  Pounds,  five  Shillings 
and  nine  Pence,  like  money,  of  bills  cancelled  ;  all  which 
they  have  deposited  in  the  hands  of  the  Honourable 
John  Stevens,  Esq.  to  be  by  him  kept  in  the  Province 
chest,  agreeable  to  the  order  of  this  Convention,  as  by 
his  receipts  appears;  and  that  by  the  accounts  of  Mr. 
Smyth  herewith  exhibited,  there  appears  to  be  due  from 
Mr.  Smyth  to  the  State,  a  further  balance  of  nine  hun- 
dred and  thirty  Pounds  six  Shillings  and  six  Pence,  like 
money,  exclusive  of  loan  office  money  not  yet  signed  or 
disposed  of. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  report  be  received,  and  the  ac- 
counts filed. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


Wednesday,  July  31. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered,  That  Chevalier  Jouet  have  leave,  on  his 
parole,  drawn  in  the  usual  manner,  and  on  giving  bond 
with  security,  in  the  sum  of  one  thousand  Pounds  for  the 
faithful  performance  of  his  parole,  to  remove  to  the 
dwelling  house  of  Mr.  White,  innkeeper,  in  Barnard's- 
town,  in  the  County  of  Somerset,  and  there,  or  within 
a  circle  of  four  miles  thereof,  remain,  and  not  depart  the 
said  bounds  unless  with  leave  of  this  Convention,  or  the 
future  Legislature  of  this  State. 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  the  following  letter  be  signed 
by  the  Vice  President,  and  sent  to  Colonel  Wetherill : 

Sir  :  The  Convention  lately  entered  into  certain  re- 
solves, requiring  the  immediate  detaching  a  brigade  of 

two 


G27 


two  thousand  of  the  militia  of  this  State  to  join  the  fly- 
ing camp;  a  copy  of  wliich  has  been  transmitted  to  you. 

The  present  aUirming  exigencies  require  the  utmost 
dispatch  in  this  service ;  we  are  perfectly  at  a  loss  for 
your  reasons  in  not  exerting  yourself  in  making  the  de- 
tachment ordered  from  your  regiment ;  and  we  must 
desire  you  will  explicitly  inform  us  thereof  by  the 
bearer. 

Letter  from  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New  York, 
enclosing  the  affidavit  of  Balthazar  De  Hart,  Esq.,  le- 
specting  certain  inhabitants  of  that  State,  who  have 
either  given  countenance  and  aid  to  our  enemies,  or  have 
deserted  its  defence  at  this  dangerous  crisis;  read  and 
filed. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

This  Convention  having  heard  the  charges  exhibited 
against  Christopher  Vaught,  John  Vaught,  Joseph  Lee, 
Thomas  Buskirk,  Philip  Cool,  William  Thatcher,  Chris- 
topher"Diltz,  and  Frederick  Frittz.  disaffected  and  danger- 
ous persons,  apprehended  by  order  of  Convention,  and 
considered  the  several  matters  alledged  and  proved  rela- 
tive to  the  said  charges.  Do  order  and  resolve,  That  Chris- 
topher Vaught  be  fined  in  the  sum  of  one  hundred 
Pounds,  John  Vaught  in  the  sum  of  one  hundred  Pounds, 
Joseph  Lee  in  the  sum  of  one  hundred  Pounds,  Thomas 
Buskirk  in  the  sum  of  twelve  Pounds,  Philip  Cool  in  the 
sum  of  seventy-two  Pounds,  William  I'hatcher  in  the 
sum  of  sixty  Pounds,  Christopher  Diltz  in  the  sum  of  ten 
Pounds,  and  Frederick  Frittz  in  the  sum  of  seventy-three 
Pounds,  Proclamation  money:  and  that  the  above  per- 
sons be  committed  until  they  pay,  or  give  security  for 
the  payment  of  the  sums  in  which  they  are  respectively 
amerced. 

Ordered,  That  the  above  fines  be  appropriated  towards 
defraying  the  costs  and  expenses  which  accrued  in  ap- 
prehending 


528 


prehending  and  bringing  the  said  disaffected  persons  to 
justice. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


Thursday,  August  1. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  letter  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Odell,  praying  for  certain 
reasons,  that  he  may  be  excused  from  signing  the  parole 
heretofore  ordered,  and  offering  a  new  parole,  binding 
himself  not  to  hold  any  political  correspondence  with 
the  enemy,  or  to  furnish  them  with  provisions  or  intelli- 
gence ;  read  ;  whereupon  Convention  having  taken  the 
same  into  consideration. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Odell  sign  the  original  parole  sent 
to  the  Committee  of  Burlington. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  to  whom  was  referred 
the  letter  from  the  Committee  of  Newark,  respecting  the 
building  or  purchase  of  gondolas,  &c. ;  read  the  second 
time. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  referred  to  the  Continental 
Congress,  and  that  Mr.  Ogden  and  Mr.  Sergeant  draught 
a  letter  for  that  purpose. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Camp,  Mr.  Hand  and  Mr.  Holme,  be 
a  Committee  to  settle  the  accounts  and  pay  the  several 
detachments  of  militia  of  this  State,  which  were  lately 
called  out  at  the  requisition  of  General  Washington  ; 
that  they  immediately  advertise  their  appointment ;  and 
that  they,  or  any  one  of  them,  have  power  to  draw  for 
the  money  needed,  upon  the  Treasurers,  who  are  required 
to  pay  the  same. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

On 


On  motion, 

Resolved,  That  Tliomas  Skinner  and  Isaac  Bonnell, 
Esqrs.,  be  released  from  their  present  parole,  and  be  enti- 
tled to  all  the  rights  and  immunities  of  others  the  good 
subjects  of  this  State,  on  taking  an  oath,  the  test  which 
is  inserted  in  the  election  ordinance. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Linn  be  added  to  the  Committee  ap- 
pointed to  settle  and  pay  the  accounts  of  the  several 
detachments  of  militia,  &c. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  County  Com- 
mittee of  Monmouth,  and  to  the  several  Township  Com- 
mittees and  Colonels  of  the  battalions  in  the  said  County, 
that  they  assist  Captain  WikofF  by  furnishing  him  with 
arms  for  his  levies  in  General  Heard's  brigade,  as  far  as 
they  may  be  able,  to  expedite  the  equipment  of  the  said 
levies.  It  is  further  recommended  to  the  said  Commit- 
tees and  Colonels,  that  Captain  WikofF  be  furnished  with 
such  of  the  arms  and  accoutrements  taken  from  non-as- 
sociators,  &c.,  within  their  bounds,  as  may  be  fit  for  ser- 
vice, be  giving  sufficient  vouchers  on  receiving  the  said 
arms. 

Ordered,  That  Philip  Johnston,  Esq.  be  Colonel,  Joseph 
Phillips,  Esq.,  Lieutenant  Colonel,  and  Piatt  Bayles,  Ma- 
jor of  the  battalion  raised  in  the  Counties  of  Hunterdon 
and  Somerset,  in  the  brigade  under  the  command  of 
General  Heard,  destined  to  reinforce  the  army  at  New 
York. 

Ordered,  That  the  several  battalions  in  the  brigade  un- 
der General  Heard,  take  rank  according  to  the  date  of 
the  commissions  of  the  Colonels  ;  that  the  several  Com- 
panies in  each  battalion  in  said  brigade  take  rank  accord- 
ing to  the  date  of  the  commissions  of  the  Captains;  and 
that  the  rank  of  all  the  officers  be  regulated  according  to 
the  date  of  their  several  commissions. 

John  Wetherill,  Esq.  Colonel  of  the  second  battalion 
of  foot  militia  in  the  County  of  Middlesex,  having  in- 
formed 

35 


530 


■formed  Mr.  Combs,  a  member  of  this  house,  that  he  was 
not  able  to  perform  the  duty  of  his  office,  owing  to  his 
indisposition  and  advanced  age,  and  was  desirous  of  re- 
signing his  commission,  if  agreeable  to  Convention  ; 
Ordered,  That  the  said  resignation  be  accepted. 

Azariah  Dunham,  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  second 
battalion  of  foot  militia  in  the  County  of  Middlesex, 
having  informed  a  member  of  this  house  that,  as  he  is 
engaged  in  the  office  of  Commissary,  he  cannot  discharge 
the  duty  of  his  military  office,  and  that  he  was  desirous 
of  resigning  his  commission,  if  agreeable  to  the  Conven- 
tion ; 

Ordered,  That  his  resignation  be  accepted. 

Ordered,  That  John  Neilson,  Esq.  be  Colonel,  and  John 
Duychinck,  Esq.  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  second  bat- 
talion of  foot  militia  in  the  County  of  Middlesex. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


Friday,  August  2. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered.  That  John  Dunn,  Esq.  be  Major  of  the  batta- 
lion detached  from  the  militia  of  the  Counties  of  Mid- 
dlesex, Monmouth,  and  Salem,  destined  to  reinforce  the 
flying  camp,  in  the  room  of  Major  Duychinck,  who  was 
appointed  to  that  command  but  refused  to  accept  of  it. 

Ordered,  That  Robert  Hoops,  Esq.  be  Brigade  Major  of 
the  militia  of  this  State  under  Brigadier  General  Dick- 
inson. 

Ordered,  That  Reuben  Potter  be  Second  Major  of  the 
first  battalion  of  foot  militia  in  the  County  of  Middlesex. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  John  Sherrerd  be  required  to 
apprehend  Peter  Cyphers,  and  bring  him  forthwith  be- 
fore this  Convention  in  custody. 

The 


531 


The  draught  for  amending  the  militia  ordinance  was 
read  a  second  time,  and  referred  to  further  consideration. 

The  petition  of  sundry  persons  in  the  first  regiment  of 
foot  militia  in  the  County  of  Monmouth,  praying  that 
further  regulations  may  be  made  respecting  the  militia, 
etc. ;  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Guisebert  Guisebertson,  Captain  of  a  company  in  the 
second  battalion  of  foot  militia  in  the  County  of  Mon- 
mouth, having  resigned  his  commission  for  reasons  men- 
tioned in  his  letter ; 

Ordered,  That  his  resignation  be  accepted. 

Resolved,  That  the  several  County  Committees  in  this 
State  do  cause  inventories  and  appraisements  to  be  made 
of  the  estates,  real  as  well  as  personal,  of  all  such  per- 
sons within  their  respective  bounds  as  have  or  shall  have 
absconded  from  their  homes  and  joined  themselves  to 
the  enemies  of  this  State,  causing  all  perishable  articles 
to  be  sold,  and  the  moneys  arising  therefrom,  and  all 
other  the  goods  and  estates  of  such  persons,  that  they 
keep  in  safe  and  secure  custody  until  the  furtlier  order 
of  this  Convention,  or  the  determination  of  other  proper 
judicature;  Provided,  That  the  said  Committees  be  em- 
powered to  leave  any  part  of  the  said  estates  in  the 
hands  of  the  relations  or  friends  of  such  absconding  per- 
sons, taking  such  security  as  they  may  think  proper  for 
the  return  thereof,  or  of  the  value. 

The  Convention  resumed  the  consideration  of  the 
draught  prepared  by  the  Committee  for  amending  the 
militia  ordinance,  and  recommitted  it  to  the  same  Com- 
mittee. 

The  petition  of  sundry  persons  in  the  second  battalion 
of  Monmouth ;  read  the  second  time,  and  referred  to  the 
same  Committee. 

The  memorial  of  Captain  Hankinson,  of  Monmouth, 

setting 


532 


setting  forth,  that  he  had  raised  a  company  of  minute- 
men,  to  continue  in  service  for  the  space  of  two  months, 
agreeable  to  the  directions  of  the  late  Committee  of 
Safet}'' ;  that  the  said  company  had  been  called  to  the 
Hook  on  the  arrival  of  General  Howe;  and  praying  that 
the  said  company  may  be  paid  for  such  service ;  an  ac- 
count of  which  accompanied  the  aforesaid  memorial; 
read,  and  referred  to  the  Committee  of  Accounts. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


Saturday,  August  3. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered,  That  the  County  Committee  of  Essex,  proceed 
to  hear  and  determine  the  charges  exhibited  against  the 
four  persons  apprehended  by  order  of  the  Secret  Com- 
mittee of  the  State  of  New  York,  who  remained  con- 
fined in  the  common  gaol  of  that  Count}'  on  the  twenty- 
fourth  day  of  July  last;  and  that  they  be  vested  with 
full  power  to  acquit,  amerce  or  imprison  said  persons. 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  draught  of 
an  ordinance  for  amending  the  militia  ordinance,  made 
report;  which  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

The  petition  of  Ebenezer  Foster,  now  on  his  parole  at 
Barnard's  town,  praying  that  he  may  be  permitted  to  re- 
turn to  his  farrn  at  Woodbridge  ;  read,  and  ordered  to 
lie  on  the  table. 

The  letter  of  John  Duychinck,  Esq.,  appointed  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  of  the  second  battalion  of  foot  militia  in 
the  County  of  Middlesex,  enclosing  his  commission,  with 
a  resignation  of  the  same ;  was  read. 

Ordered,  That  his  resignation  be  accepted. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the 
draught  of  an  ordinance  for  amending  the  militia  ordi- 
nance, read  the  second  time;  and  after  sundry  amend- 
ments, 

On 


533 

On  the  question, 

Whether  the  same  do  pass,  it  was  carried  as  follows, 
viz : 

Yeas — 

Mr.  Ogden, 
Drake, 
Woodhull, 
Frelinghuyseu, 
Paterson, 
Hardenbergh, 


Linn, 
Ta3;lor, 

Josiah  Holmes, 
E.  Clark, 
Hand, 
Bloomfield, 


Quackenbush, 

Brown, 

Shaver, 

Shinn, 

Dick. 


Nays — 

Mr.  Joseph  Holmes,  Elmer, 
Mott,  Buck, 
Sparks,  Bowen, 


Combs, 
John  Holmes. 


Thomas  Skinner  and  Isaac  Bonnell,  Esqrs.,  appeared 
before  Convention  and  took,  on  oath,  the  test  inserted  in 
the  election  ordinance;  whereupon. 

Ordered,  That  they  be  released  from  their  parole,  and 
be  entitled  to  all  the  rights  and  immunities  of  others  the 
good  subjects  of  this  State. 


Adjourned  to  Monday  afternoon  five  o'clock. 


Monday,  August  5. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  sufficient  number  of  members  not  attending,  ad- 
iourned  to  three  o'clock  to-morrow  afternoon. 


Tuesday,  August  6. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered,  That  Dr.  Jacob  Jennings  be  Surgeon  to  the 
battalions  directed  to  be  detached  from  the  militia  in  the 

Counties 


534 


Counties  of  Somerset,  Hunterdon,  and  Sussex,  to  be  un- 
der the  command  of  Colonel  Mark  Thompson,  destined 
to  reinforce  the  flying  camp. 

The  representation  of  County  Committee  of  Monmouth, 
respecting  the  removal  of  the  stock  on  the  sea  coast,  &c., 
read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

John  Carey,  Esq.,  and  Mr.  Ephraim  Lloyd,  from  the 
Count}'  of  Salem,  presented  a  remonstrance  to  this  Con- 
vention (being  duly  authorized  for  that  purpose)  against 
the  resolution  wliich  passed  this  House  the  15th  day  of 
July  last,  directing  that  the  election  in  that  County  be  by 
ballot,  and  that  it  be  held  at  the  Court  House  in  the 
town  of  Salem,  without  removing  from  place  to  place, 
&c.,  and  requesting  that  the  said  resolution  be  rescinded ; 
read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Letter  from  General  Dickinson,  read. 

Agreeable  to  certificate  of  election, 

Ordered,  That  Abraham  Joliannes  Blauvelt  be  Captain, 
Cornelius  D.  Blauvelt,  First  Lieutenant,  Guilliam  Bogart, 
Second  Lieutenant;  and  John  Lozier,  Ensign  of  a  com- 
pany of  foot  militia  in  the  Township  of  Harrington,  and 
County  of  Bergen. 

Letter  from  the  County  Committee  of  Bergen,  in- 
forming that  some  of  the  powder  lately  sent  to  that 
County  by  this  Convention  was  damaged  and  wholly 
unfit  for  use,  and  praying  that  this  Convention  would 
take  direction  therein,  and  order  the  deficiency  to  be 
made  up;  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Letter  from  Col.  Thomas,  enclosing  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Bott,  informing  that  a  certain  Caleb  Hetfield  dissuaded 
the  militia  from  turning  out  under  Col.  Thomas,  and 
even  ofl^ered  a  bounty  to  restrain  and  keep  them  back  ; 
read,  and  referred  to  the  County  Committee  of  Essex. 

Letter  from  Daniel  Johnes,  complaining  of  sundry 

riotous 


535 


riotous  and  disaflfected  persons  in  his  company,  one  of 
whom  struck  said  Johnes;  read,  and  ordered  a  second 
reading. 

Adjourned  till  eight  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Wednesday,  August  7. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  representation  of  the  Township  Committee  of 
Woodbridge,  setting  forth,  that  certain  persons  in  the 
third  battalion  of  Philadelphia  militia,  had  insulted  and 
abused  Nathaniel  Fitz  Randolph  and  Ezekiel  Bloomfield, 
inhabitants  of  said  Township,  and  praying  that  this  Con- 
vention would  take  the  said  complaint  under  considera- 
tion ;  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Letter  from  Mr.  Stockton,  enclosing  certain  resolves  of 
Congress,  directing  "  that  this  Convention  would  make 
''such  provision  for  keeping  open  the  communication 
"  between  the  States  of  New  Jersey  and  New  York,  by 
"  way  of  the  ferries  over  Passaick  and  Hackinsack  rivers, 
"  as  to  them  shall  appear  most  effectual ;  and  that  Con- 
"gress  will  reimburse  the  expenses  of  such  service  to  the 
"State  of  New  Jersey;  and  recommending  to  the  State 
"of  New  Jersey,  to  order  their  militia  immediately  to 
"  march  and  join  General  Mercer ;"  read  and  filed. 

Letter  from  General  Heard,  enclosing  return  of  men 
in  his  brigade ;  read  and  filed. 

Letter  from  General  Mercer ;  read  and  filed. 

Resolved,  That  the  Deputies  in  Convention  be  allowed 
at  the  rate  of  six  Shillings  a  day  for  every  day  they  have 
or  shall  attend  during  the  continuance  of  this  Conven- 
tion, to  be  certified  by  Mr.  Elmer,  Dr.  Bloomfield,  Mr. 
Hand  and  Mr.  Paterson,  or  any  two  of  them. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met 


536 


Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  remonstrance  of  certain  freeholders  and  others, 
electors  in  tlie  County  of  Salem,  against  the  resolution 
which  passed  this  House  on  the  15th  day  of  July  last, 
on  motion  of  the  Deputies  of  that  County,  &c.,  read  a 
second  time : 

Whereas  on  motion  made  the  15th  day  of  last  month, 
by  the  members  of  the  County  of  Salem,  it  was  resolved, 
"  that  the  election  in  that  County  be  by  ballot,  and  that 
"it  be  held  at  the  Court  House  in  the  town  of  Salem, 
"  without  removing  from  place  to  place,  any  thing  in  the 
"ordinance  for  ascertaining  the  mode  and  places  of  elec- 
"  tion  before  contained  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding." 
And  luhereas  a  remonstrance,  signed  by  a  great  number 
of  the  freeholders  and  others  electors  of  said  County,  has 
been  presented  to  this  Convention,  against  the  above  re- 
cited resolution,  praying  that  the  same  may  be  rescinded, 
and  that  the  ensuing  election  in  said  County  may,  in 
every  respect,  be  carried  on  in  the  same  manner  as  or- 
dained by  Convention  for  all  the  other  Counties  in  this 
State :  It  is  therefore  resolved,  That  the  election  of  mem- 
bers to  serve  in  Legislative  Council  and  Assembly  of  this 
State  for  the  County  of  Salem  ;  and  also  of  one  Sheriff 
and  one  or  more  Coroners  for  said  County,  to  be  held  on 
the  second  Tuesday  of  this  instant  August,  be  conducted 
in  the  same  manner,  and  governed  by  the  same  regu- 
lations, as  are  prescribed  and  ordained  by  this  Conven- 
tion for  all  the  other  Counties  in  this  State,  anything 
in  the  above  recited  resolution  which  passed  on  the 
motion  of  the  Deputies  from  Salem,  to  the  contrary  not- 
withstanding. 

Adjourned  to  Friday  morning,  nine  o'clock. 


Friday,  August  9. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A 


537 


A  petition  from  sundry  officers  of  the  second  battalion 
of  Middlesex  County,  praying  a  division  thereof;  read, 
and  ordered  a  second  reading. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Ogden,  Mr.  Drummond.Mr.  Brown, 
Mr.  Camp  and  Mr.  Combs,  be  a  Committee  to  devise 
ways  and  means,  and  report  a  plan  for  keeping  open  the 
communication  between  this  State  and  New  York,  by 
way  of  the  ferries  over  the  rivers  Passaick  and  Hackin- 
sack. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  letter  from  General  Washington  of  the  8th  instant; 
read,  and  filed. 

A  petition  of  sundry  persons  in  the  south  ward  of 
New  Brunswick,  praying  the  interposition  of  this  House 
relative  to  the  choice  of  officers  in  a  company  of  militia 
late  commanded  by  Captain  Jacob  Pyatt;  read,  and  or- 
dered a  second  reading. 

A  petition  from  sundry  persons  in  Barnard's  town, 
relative  to  a  company  of  militia;  was  read, 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  referred  to  the  County  Com- 
mittee of  Somerset. 

The  petition  from  sundry  officers  of  the  second  bat- 
talion of  Middlesex  County,  praying  a  division,  &c., 
read  a  second  time;  whereupon. 

Ordered,  That  a  third  battalion  be  formed  out  of  the 
same,  to  consist  of  the  companies  commanded  by  the 
Captains  Hartipee,  Barr,  Stout,  Schenck,  Scudder,  Wether- 
ill  and  Pyatt. 

Ordered,  That  John  Duychinck,  Esq.,  be  Colonel,  Jacob 
Hyer,  Esq.,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  William  Scudder,  Esq., 
First  Major  thereof,  and  that  the  Second  Major  be  ap- 
pointed on  the  return  of  General  Heard's  brigade. 

Mr. 


538 


Mr.  Ogden,  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  devise 
ways  and  means  for  keeping  open  the  communication 
between  New  Jersey  and  New  York,  by  way  of  the  fer- 
ries over  Passaick  and  Hackinsack,  reported  an  ordi- 
nance for  that  purpose,  which  was  three  times  read  and 
passed. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Saturday,  August  10. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Ogden  and  Mr.  Dick,  be  a  Commit- 
tee to  prepare  an  ordinance  for  the  immediate  detaching 
of  one  half  of  the  militia  of  this  State  to  join  the  flying 
camp. 

The  Board  of  War  and  Ordnance  having  referred  the 
case  of  Lieutenant  Wadman  to  this  Convention,  the 
same  was  accordingly  considered  ;  whereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Lieutenant  Wadman  sign  his  parole  as 
settled  by  Congress,  do  depart  from  the  city  of  New 
Brunswick  to  Bordentown  in  the  State  of  New  Jersey, 
and  there,  or  within  six  miles  thereof  in  said  State,  to 
remain,  and  not  to  depart  said  bounds  unless  with  leave 
of  the  Honourable  Continental  Congress,  the  Convention, 
or  future  Legislature  of  this  State. 

The  Committee  of  the  Western  Precinct  of  Somerset 
County  having  referred  the  case  of  Joseph  Stockton  to 
this  Convention  ;  and,  before  the  charge  was  considered, 
said  Stockton  having  requested  time  in  order  to  deter- 
mine whether  he  should  sign  the  test  inserted  in  the 
election  ordinance. 

Ordered,  That  he  have  time  for  a  few  days  to  consider 
thereof,  and  that  in  the  mean  time  he  return  to  Hills- 
borough. 

Ordered,  That  Thomas  Jones  be  Second  Lieutenant  in 

Captain 


539 


Captain  Anderson's  Company  in  the  battalion  whereof 
Silas  Newcorab,  Esq.,  is  Colonel,  in  General  Heard's  bri- 
gade ;  and  that  he  continue  Adjutant  of  the  same  bat- 
talion. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

General  Mercer's  letter  received  this  day,  was  read  and 
filed. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  an  ordinance  for 
the  immediate  detaching  one-half  of  the  militia,  &c., 
made  report ;  which  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second 
reading. 

Inventories  of  the  estates  of  Anthony  Woodward  and 
William  Guisebertson,  of  Monmouth  County,  persons 
who  have  absconded  from  their  homes  and  joined  the 
enemy  ;  were  read  and  filed. 

Resolved,  That,  to  prevent  desertion,  no  person  or  per- 
sons belonging  to  or  coming  from  the  army  in  the  State 
of  New  Jersey,  be  permitted  to  go  over  any  of  the  ferries 
in  or  travel  through  said  State  without  a  pass,  signed 
either  by  General  Mercer,  Colonel  Griffin  or  Colonel  Bid- 
die,  and  all  persons  in  general,  and  in  particular  the 
members  of  Committees,  militia  officers,  and  owners  or 
keepers  of  ferries,  are  strictly  enjoined  to  carry  this  reso- 
lution into  effect,  by  apprehending  and  securing  every 
person  belonging  to  or  coming  from  said  army,  who 
shall  not  have  a  pass  signed  as  above  directed,  until  he 
can  be  reconducted  to  the  army  aforesaid. 

The  draught  of  a  bill  for  the  immediate  detaching  of  * 
one-half  of  the  militia  to  join  the  flying  camp,  was  read 
the  second  time,  and  ordered  to  be  recommitted  to  Mr. 
Ogden,  Mr.  Sergeant  and  Mr,  Paterson. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Sunday, 


540 

Sunday,  August  11. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  tlie  bill  for  the 
immediate  detaching  one-half  of  the  militia,  &c.,  made 
report;  and,  after  sundry  amendments,  was  agreed  to 
unanimously. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  no  troops  in  the  service  of  the  United 
States,  or  of  any  of  them,  nor  their  baggage,  ammunition, 
or  their  other  waggons,  shall  pay  for  passing  any  of  the 
ferries  within  this  State,  more  than  one-third  part  of  the 
ferriage  usually  paid  by  such  as  are  not  in  said  service  ; 
and,  to  prevent  a  misconstruction  of  this  resolve,  It  is 
hereby  declared,  That  Commissaries  or  other  persons  sup- 
plying the  army  with  provisions,  stores,  &c.,  are  not  in- 
tended to  be  included  in  said  resolve,  so  as  to  receive  any 
private  benefit  from  the  same. 

A  letter  from  the  War  Office  of  the  sixth  of  August ; 
read,  and  filed. 

Adjourned  to  Thursday,  three  o'clock. 

Thursday,  August  15. 

A  sufficient  number  of  members  not  attending,  the 
Convention  did  not  meet. 


Friday,  August  16. 

The  Convention  met. 

Ordered,  That  the  Committees  of  the  several  Counties, 

Towns 


541 


Towns  and  Districts  in  this  State,  do  make  out  lists  of 
the  prisoners  of  war  which  now  are  or  have  been  resi- 
dent within  their  districts,  and  transmit  the  same  to  this 
Convention,  or  the  future  Legislature  of  this  State,  with- 
out delay. 

Mr.  Hardenbergh  added  to  the  Committee  of  Accounts. 
Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered,  That  Richard  Lott,  Esq.  be  appointed  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  of  the  second  battalion  of  Middlesex. 

Ordered,  That  John  Taylor  be  appointed  First  Major 
thereof. 

The  petition  of  Captain  Philip  Van  Arsdalen,  praying 
leave  to  raise  a  Company  of  light-horse  in  Somerset 
County;  read,  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 

A  petition  from  the  officers  of  the  second  battalion  of 
Middlesex,  praying  an  addition  of  Captain  Wetherill's 
Company  to  that  battalion  ;  read,  and  ordered  a  second 
reading. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Satukday,  August  17. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 
Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  letter  from  "William  Ch.  Houuston,  Captain  of  a  com- 
pany in  the  second  battalion  of  foot  militia  in  the  County 
of  Somerset,  setting  forth,  that,  from  his  connexion  with 

the 


542 


the  college  in  the  absence  of  Dr.  Witherspoon,  and  other 
circumstances,  he  cannot  pay  the  due  attention  to  his 
company,  and  begging  leave  to  resign  his  commission; 
Ordered,  That  his  resignation  be  accepted. 

In  pursuance  of  the  recommendation  of  the  Honour- 
able Continental  Congress, 

Resolved,  That  all  the  workmen  of  this  State  actually 
employed  in  the  manufacture  of  fire-arms  be  excused 
from  going  out  with  the  militia  when  called  upon. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  bills  of  credit  emitted 
by  the  Honourable  Continental  Congress  be  a  legal  ten- 
der within  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  for  all  sums  of  money 
due  and  owing  from  one  person  to  another. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Sergeant  revise,  correct,  and  tran- 
scribe the  Minutes  of  this  Convention  for  the  press,  to  be 
inspected,  approved,  and  signed  by  the  President,  and 
that  he  have  the  same  compensation  as  has  been  allowed 
to  the  clerks  of  Assembly  in  this  State. 

Whereas  the  difference  of  the  several  currencies  with- 
in this  State  very  greatly  perplexes  many  of  the  good 
people  thereof,  and  more  especially  such  of  the  people  of 
the  neighbouring  States  as  have  come  hither  for  our  de- 
fence against  the  common  enemy,  and  gives  occasion  to 
great  impositions  and  deceits; 

Resolved  itnanimously,  That  all  payments  and  receipts 
be  made  in  every  part  of  this  State  in  Proclamation 
money  of  New  Jersey,  at  seven  Shillings  and  six  Pence 
the  Dollar,  reckoning  the  difference  between  the  usual 
prices  heretofore  taken  in  any  other  currency,  and  re- 
ducing the  same  to  Proclamation. 

Adjourned  till  Monday  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


Monday,  August  19, 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Upon 


543 


Upon  the  application  of  Doctor  Samuel  Bard,  for  as- 
sistance and  encouragement  of  this  State  in  the  erecting 
of  salt  works ; 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  this  State  will,  upon  good 
securit}',  lend  to  the  said  Doctor  Bard  a  sum  of  money 
not  exceeding  five  hundred  Pounds,  for  the  term  of  two 
years,  without  interest,  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  salt 
works  within  this  State. 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  this  State  will  receive  salt, 
manufactured  by  the  said  Dr.  Bard,  at  one  dollar  the 
bushel,  in  payment  of  said  sum  of  money  ;  provided  the 
same  be  tendered  for  payment  before  the  expiration  of 
two  years  after  the  loan  of  the  money. 

Resolved  unanimously.  That  if  any  of  the  works  so  to 
be  raised,  shall  be  destroyed  by  the  enemy,  this  State  will 
sustain  the  loss  of  one  half  of  the  money  which  shall 
have  been  appropriated  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  such 
works,  out  of  the  money  advanced  on  loan  by  this  State 
to  the  said  Doctor  Bard. 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  the  workmen  actually  em- 
ployed in  the  said  works,  not  exceeding  ten,  be  exempt 
from  military  duty  during  the  time  in  which  they  shall 
be  so  employed. 

Provided,  that  the  said  money  be  lent  upon  condition 
that  the  works  shall  be  completed  within  three  months 
of  the  said  loan  ;  and  that  the  said  Doctor  Bard  be  not 
entitled  to  receive  the  bounty  heretofore  offered  on  salt. 

A  petition  signed  by  fifty-six  associators  in  the  com- 
pany of  Captain  Smith,  in  the  precinct  of  Upper  Allo- 
way's  Creek,  in  the  County  of  Salem,  praying,  that  they 
may  be  formed  into  a  distinct  company,  and  be  officered 
by  Abner  Penton,  as  Captain,  Eaton  Haywood,  First 
Lieutenant,  Jacob  Houseman,  Second  Lieutenant,  and 
Thomas  Smith,  Ensign;  was  read. 

A  memorial  of  the  Committee  of  the  said  precinct  was 
also  read,  recommending  that  the  prayer  of  the  said  peti- 
tion may  be  granted ;  whereupon. 

Ordered,  That  the  prayer  of  said  petition  be  granted, 
and  that  commissions  do  issue  accordingly. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met 


544 


Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Whereas  Isaac  Low,  Esq.  apprehended  on  suspicion 
of  being  unfriendly  to  the  cause  of  American  freedom, 
did  lately  give  his  parole  to  the  Convention,  drawn  in  the 
usual  manner;  And  whereas,  this  Convention  are  now 
fully  satisfied  as  to  the  grounds  of  such  suspicion ; 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Low  be  released  from  his  parole,  re- 
stored to  his  former  liberty,  and  entitled,  during  his  stay 
in  this  State,  to  all  the  rights  and  immunities  of  others 
the  good  subjects  thereof. 

Mr.  Joseph  Stockton  having  appeared  before  Conven- 
tion, and  took,  on  oath,  the  test  inserted  in  the  election 
ordinance ; 

Ordered,  That  the  bond  Mr.  Stockton  executed  to  the 
Committee,  be  cancelled;  that  he  be  released  from  his 
present  confinement,  and  be  entitled  to  all  the  rights  and 
immunities  of  others  the  good  subjects  of  this  State. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Hardenbergh,  Mr.  Elmer,  Mr.  Con- 
dict,  and  Mr.  Hand,  be  a  Committee  to  settle  the  accounts 
of  John  Dennis,  Esq.,  the  eastern  Treasurer. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning  nine  o'clock. 


Tuesday,  August  20. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  settle  the  accounts  of  John 
Dennis,  Esq.,  made  report ;  which  was  read  and  accepted. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Crow  do  sign  his  parole,  and  give 
bond  in  the  sum  of  five  hundred  Pounds  for  the  perform- 
ance thereof,  to  depart  from  hence  to  the  town  of  Mount 

Holly, 


545 


Holly,  in  the  County  of  Burlington,  there,  or  within  the 
circle  of  four  miles  thereof,  to  remain  until  discharged, 
or  otherwise  permitted  by  this  Convention. 

Resolved,  That  all  persons  who  have  received  any  pub- 
lick  money  of,  or  are  indebted  to  this  Convention,  or  any 
Congress  or  Committee  of  Safety  of  this  State,  do  account 
for  tlie  same  to  the  future  Legislature  of  said  State,  or 
such  person  or  persons  as  they  shall  nominate  and  ap- 
point. 

Thomas  Hutton,  who  was  appointed  to  search  for  lead 
and  sulphur  mines  and  flint  quarries,  made  report  as 
follows : 

That  he  had  not  discovered  any  lead  mines,  but  that 
he  found  symptoms  thereof,  which  he  produced,  on  the 
plantation  of  Casper  Smith,  about  four  miles  from  New- 
town, in  Sussex. 

He  also  produced  a  sample  of  black  lead,  which  he 
found  at  Port  Chuck,  near  the  drowned  land  in  Sussex, 
and  thinks  a  large  quantity  of  black  lead  may  be  had 
at  the  above  place. 

He  produced  several  samples  of  sulphur,  which  he 
found  on  the  land  of  James  Young,  in  the  Township  of 
Mendham,  and  County  of  Morris;  imagines  great  quan- 
tities of  sulphur  may  be  had  ihere;  thinks  he  could  raise 
it  for  thirty  Shillings,  or  at  most  forty  Shillings  (the  latter 
including  gunpowder)  a  ton. 

Samples  of  flints  which  he  found  on  a  hill  near  Colonel 
Martin's,  and  the  brook  called  Beaver  Run,  in  Sussex, 
great  quantities  whereof  may  be  had  there,  and  they  are 
exceeding  promising. 

Ordered,  That  Moses  Ivins  be  fined  in  the  sum  of 
thirty  Pounds,  Richard  Robins  in  the  sum  of  twenty- 
two  Pounds,  John  Leonard  in  the  sum  of  twenty  Pounds, 
Thomas  Lewis  Woodward  in  the  sum  of  sixteen  Pounds, 
and  Ezekiel  Forraan  in  the  sum  of  three  Pounds,  Procla- 
mation money  of  the  State  of  New  Jersey. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'^clock. 

Wednesday, 

36 


V 


546 


Wednesday,  August  21. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Whereas,  Some  doubts  have  arisen  whether  the  sev- 
eral Committees  in  this  State  will  not  expire  on  the 
meeting  of  the  Legislative  Council  and  Assembly;  It  is 
therefore  resolved,  That  the  said  Committees  shall  continue 
to  execute  the  duty  of  their  office  as  heretofore,  until 
otherwise  ordered  by  the  future  Legislature  of  this  State. 

Whereas,  the  late  ordinance  of  this  Convention  direct- 
ing that  all  able-bodied  men,  without  exception,  between 
the  ages  of  sixteen  and  fifty,  should  be  forthwith  en-- 
rolled,  and  deemed  to  be  the  militia  of  this  State,  one 
half  of  which  were  ordered  into  immediate  service,  hath 
not  pointed  out  either  the  mode  of  levying  the  fines  pay- 
able by  such  as  do  not  go  out  in  their  proper  turn  ;  or  the 
use  to  which  the  same  when  levied  shall  be  appro- 
priated ; 

Resolved  therefore,  That  the  said  fines  shall  be  recovered 
by  the  Captains  of  the  companies  in  which  the  delin- 
quents are  enrolled,  in  the  manner  directed  by  an  ordi- 
nance of  the  late  Congress,  bearing  date  the  28th  of 
October,  1775. 

Resolved,  That  the  fines  payable  by  those  who  have 
been  or  shall  be  enrolled  in  consequence  of  the  late 
ordinance  of  this  Convention,  passed  the  eleventh  of  this 
instant,  be  appropriated  to  such  publick  use  as  the  future 
Legislature  of  this  State  shall  direct;  and  that  the  fines 
payable  by  those  formerly  enrolled  be  appropriated  as  is 
directed  by  the  resolves  of  this  Convention,  bearing  date 
the  3d  of  this  instant. 

Resolved,  That  the  Captains  shall  respectively  be  ac- 
countable for  the  amount  of  the  fines  levied  in  pursu- 
ance of  the  ordinance  aforesaid  of  the  11th  instant,  to 
the  future  Legislature,  or  to  such  person  or  persons  as 
they  shall  nominate  and  appoint. 

And  whereas.  This  Convention  have  been  given  to 
understand  that  divers  persons  have  been  extremely  ag- 
grieved by  excessive  distresses  for  fines  incurred  by 
breach  of  the  several  militia  ordinances,  goods  to  a  great 

value 


547 


value  having  been  seized  for  small  fines ;  therefore  resolved, 
That  all  persons  who  shall  hereafter  be  aggrieved  by 
such  excessive  distresses,  be  entitled  to  recover  damages 
in  like  manner  as  for  excessive  distresses  at  common 
law. 

The  Committee  of  Accounts  made  report  of  sundry- 
articles  contained  in  the  draught  of  an  ordinance  for  the 
payment  of  incidental  charges;  which  being  read, 

Ordered,  That  the  same  do  pass. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock  afternoon. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 
Adjourned  without  day. 


Ordinances, 


Ordinances,  &c. 


AN  ORDINANCE 

For  raising  three  thousand  three  hundred  of  the  militia 
of  New  Jersey  to  reinforce  the  army  at  New  York. 

Passed  June  14,  1776. 

Whereas  the  Honourable  Continental  Congress  have  re- 
solved, That  the  Colony  of.  New  Jersey  be  requested  imme- 
diately to  send  three  thousand  three  hundred  of  their 
militia  to  reinforce  the  army  at  New  York,  to  be  continued 
in  the  service  until  the  first  day  of  December  next,  unless 
sooner  discharged  by  the  Congress :  And  tliat  the  pay  of  the 
militia,  which  by  a  late  resolve  of  the  Continental  Con- 
gress is  fifty  Shillings,  Proclamation  money  per  month 
for  the  privates  in  all  the  United  Colonies,  commence 
from  the  da}'^  of  their  marching  from  home,  allowing 
them  one  penny,  lawful  money,  per  mile,  in  lieu  of 
rations  for  traveling  expences,  and  one  day's  pay  for 
every  twenty  miles  between  home  and  the  general  rendez- 
vous going  and  returning.  And  as  troops  of  the  enemy, 
from  the  best  intelligence,  are  daily  expected  to  arrive  at 
New  York,  this  Congress  are  anxiously  desirous  to  carry 
the  resolutions  of  the  Honourable  Continental  Congress 
into  immediate  effect. 

Resolved  therefore,  That  five  battalions,  consisting  of 
eight  companies  of  seventy-eight  non-commissioned  offi- 
cers and  privates,  be  immediately  got  in  readiness  and 
marched  to  New  York,  under  the  command  of  a  Briga- 
dier-General;  which  battalion  shall  be  raised  by  a  volun- 
tary enlistment,  to  continue  in  the  service  until  the  first 
day  of  December  next,  unless  sooner  discharged. 

Resolved  further,   That  the  said  battalions  shall  be 

formed 


549 


formed  as  follows:  one  battalion  to  consist  of  three  com- 
panies from  the  County  of  Bergen,  and  three  companies 
from  the  County  of  Essex,  and  two  companies  from  the 
County  of  Burlington. 

One  battalion  to  consist  of  four  companies  from  the 
County  of  Middlesex,  and  four  companies  from  the 
County  of  Monmouth. 

One  battalion  to  consist  of  four  companies  from  the 
County  of  Morris,  and  four  companies  from  the  County 
of  Sussex. 

One  battalion  to  consist  of  three  companies  from  the 
County  of  Somerset,  and  five  companies  from  the  County 
of  Hunterdon. 

One  battalion  to  consist  of  two  companies  from  the 
County  of  Burlington,  two  companies  from  the  County 
of  Cumberland,  two  companies  from  the  County  of  Glou- 
cester, and  two  companies  from  the  County  of  Salem. 

And,  in  order  that  proper  officers  may  be  immediately 
appointed,  Resolved,  That  the  field  officers,  with  the  sub- 
alterns in  each  county,  do  forthwith  assemble,  and  agree 
upon  one  Captain,  two  Lieutenants,  and  one  Ensign,  for 
each  company,  to  be  raised  in  their  respective  Counties; 
and  that  the  field  officers  appointed  to  the  command  of 
each  battalion  do  appoint  an  Adjutant  and  Quarter- 
master for  the  battalion. 

Resolved,  That  each  man,  at  the  time  of  his  enlisting, 
do  sign  the  following  enlistment: 

I,  have  this  day  enlisted  myself  in 

the  company  of  Captain  as  a  volunteer 

in  the  battalion  commanded  by  Colonel  now 
raising  in  New  Jersey,  to  reinforce  the  army  at  New 
York,  to  continue  in  that  service  until  the  first  day  of 
December  next,  unless  sooner  discharged:  and  do  bind 
myself  to  conform  in  all  instances  to  the  regulations 
which  or  shall  be  established  for  the  government  of  said 
army. 

And  it  is  further  resolved,  That  each  man,  so  entering 
himself  as  a  volunteer,  do  furnish  himself  at  his  own 
expense,  with  a  good  musket  with  a  bayonet,  a  cartouch- 
box,  blanket,  canteen, and  knapsack. 

And,  in  order  to  expedite  the  raising  of  the  aforesaid 
battalions,  at  a  season  when  the  labour  of  the  inhabit- 
ants 


550 


ants  is  greatly  needed  in  the  country,  and  to  encourage 
the  enlistment  of  men  in  this  necessary  service,  It  is  fur- 
ther resolved,  That  there  be  allowed  and  paid  as  a  bounty 
to  each  man,  who  shall  voluntarily  enlist  as  aforesaid, 
and  be  properly  accoutred,  the  sum  of  three  Pounds, 
Proclamation  money,  over  and  above  the  Continental 
pay,  to  be  paid  to  him  at  the  time  he  marches  to  the 
general  rendezvous. 

And  it  is  further  resolved,  That  said  forces,  when  raised, 
shall  not  be  compelled  to  march  out  of  this  Colony  fur- 
ther than  the  city  of  New  York,  or  parts  adjacent  thereto. 

Resolved,  That  as  soon  as  any  company  shall  be  com- 
pleted, the  same  shall  be  mustered  in  the  presence  of  one 
of  the  Commissioners  hereinafter  named,  who  are  respect- 
ively appointed  raustermasters  for  that  purpose;  and 
upon  such  muster  being  had,  the  said  company  sliall 
immediately  march  to  the  place  of  general  rendezvous, 
to  be  appointed  by  the  Brigadier-General. 

Resolved,  That  the  Colonels  of  said  battalions  be  direc- 
ted to  make  return  as  soon  as  possible  to  tliis  Congress, 
or  Committee  of  Safety,  or  to  the  Brigadier-General,  to  be 
by  him  laid  before  the  Congress  or  Committee  of  Safety, 
of  the  number  of  men  enlisted  in  each  County  of  this 
Colony  in  the  battalions  aforesaid. 

Resolved,  That  Sidney  Berry,  Benjamin  Halsey,  Rich- 
ard Ludlow,  Asher  Holmes  and  Thomas  Sinnickson, 
Esquires,  be,  and  they  are  hereby,  appointed  Commis- 
sioners for  paying  the  bounty  allowed  to  each  volunteer 
as  aforesaid,  which  they,  or  any  of  them,  are  to  pay  out 
of  the  bills  of  credit  lately  made  current  by  ordinance  cf 
the  Congress  of  this  Province  ;  and  shall  take  proper  re- 
ceipts for  all  monies  by  them,  or  any  of  them,  paid  out 
as  a  bounty  in  manner  aforesaid,  signed  by  the  persons 
receiving  the  same;  which  receipts,  when  laid  before  this 
or  a  future  Congress,  or  other  future  Representative  Body 
of  this  Colony,  to  whom  they  are  hereby  made  account- 
able, shall  discharge  the  said  Commissioners  or  any  of 
them,  of  all  monies  legally  paid  out  as  aforesaid  ;  And 
that  there  be  allowed,  as  a  compensation  to  said  Commis- 
sioners for  reviewing  said  men,  and  paying  said  bounty, 
a  sum  after  the  rate  of  one  per  cent,  for  all  monies  by 
them,  or  any  of  them,  paid  out  as  aforesaid.    And  the 

Treasurers 


551 


Treasurers  of  this  Colony,  appointed  by  Congress,  and 
each  of  them,  are  hereby  required  to  pay  to  such  Com- 
missioners, or  any  of  them,  sucli  sum  or  sums  of  money 
as  may  be  necessary  for  the  above  purpose. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  late 
Congress  do  furnish  the  aforesaid  five  battalions  with  six 
hundred  and  sixty  camp-kettles,  or  one  camp-kettle  for 
every  five  men,  to  be  lent  to  them  during  this  campaign. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  several  Com- 
mittees of  this  Colony  to  be  zealous  and  diligent  in  as- 
sisting the  officers  to  raise  and  equip  the  aforesaid  forces  ; 
and  that  those  who  do  not  engage  in  this  service  be  earn- 
estly requested  to  lend  or  dispose  of  their  arms  and  ac- 
coutrements to  the  volunteers  who  shall  enlist. 

It  is  further  resolved.  That  the  five  battalions  above  di- 
rected to  be  raised  form  one  brigade,  and  that  a  Briga- 
dier General  be  appointed  to  command  the 'same. 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  Joseph  Reed,  Esq.  be  and 
he  is  hereby  appointed  Brigadier  General. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  officers  be  appointed  to  the 
command  of  the  respective  battalions,  viz. :  For  the  bat- 
talion to  be  raised  in  Bergen,  Essex  and  Burlington, 
Philip  Van  Cortland,  Colonel,  David  Brearley,  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel,  and  Richard  Dey,  Major ;  for  the  battalion 
to  be  raised  in  Middlesex  and  Monmouth,  Nathaniel 
Heard,  Colonel,  David  Forman,  Lieutenant  Colonel,  and 
Thomas  Henderson,  Major;  for  the  battalion  to  be  raised 
in  Morris  and  Sussex,  Ephraim  Martin,  Colonel,  John 
Munson,  Lieutenant  Colonel,  and  Cornelius  Ludlow, 
Major  ;  for  the  battalion  to  be  raised  in  Somerset  and 
Hunterdon,  Stephen  Hunt,  Colonel,  Philip  Johnson, 
Lieutenant  Colonel,  and  Joseph  Philips,  Major  ;  for  the 
battalion  to  be  raised  in  Gloucester,  Salem,  Cumberland, 
and  Burlington,  Silas  Newcomb,  Colonel,  Bowes  Reed, 
Lieutenant  Colonel,  and  ,  Major. 

Resolved,  That  Robert  Hoops,  Esquire,  be  and  he  is 
hereby  appointed  Brigade  Major  of  the  aforesaid  brigade. 

Resolved,  That  the  militia,  which  have  lately  been 
draughted  by  order  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  this 
Province,  be,  and  hereby  are  at  liberty  to  enlist  in  the 
above  brigade;  and  that  no  further  draughts  be  made  in 
consequence  of  said  order. 

Constitution 


Constitution  of  New  Jersey. 
Passed  July  2,  1776. 


Whereas,  all  the  Constitutional  authority  ever  pos- 
sessed by  the  kings  of  Great  Britain  over  these  Colonies, 
or  their  other  dominions,  was,  by  compact,  derived  from 
the  people,  and  held  of  them  for  the  common  interest  of 
the  whole  society;  allegiance  and  protection  are,  in  the 
nature  of  things,  reciprocal  ties,  each  equally  depend- 
ing upon  tlie  other,  and  liable  to  be  dissolved  by  the 
others  being  refused  or  withdrawn  ;  and  whereas,  George 
the  Third,  King  of  Great  Britain,  has  refused  protection 
to  the  good  people  of  these  Colonies;  and,  by  assenting 
to  sundry  acts  of  the  British  Parliament,  attempted  to 
subject  them  to  the  absolute  dominion  of  that  body;  and 
has  also  made  war  upon  them  in  the  most  cruel  and  un- 
natural manner,  for  no  other  cause  than  asserting  their 
just  rights  ;  all  civil  authority  under  him  is  necessarily 
at  an  end,  and  a  dissolution  of  government  in  each 
Colony  has  consequently  taken  place. 

And  whereas,  in  the  present  deplorable  situation  of  these 
Colonies,  exposed  to  the  fury  of  a  cruel  and  relentless 
enemy,  some  form  of  government  is  absolutely  necessary, 
not  only  for  the  preservation  of  good  order,  but  also  the 
more  effectually  to  unite  the  people,  and  enable  them  to 
exert  their  whole  force  in  their  own  necessary  defence; 
and  as  the  Honourable  the  Continental  Congress,  the 
Supreme  Council  of  the  American  Colonies,  has  advised 
such  of  the  Colonies,  as  iiave  not  yet  gone  into  the 
measure,  to  adopt  for  themselves  respectively  such  gov- 
ernment as  shall  best  conduce  to  their  own  happiness 
and  safety,  and  the  well-being  of  America  in  general ; 
We,  the  Representatives  of  the  Colony  of  New  Jersey, 
having  been  elected  by  all  the  Counties  in  the  freest  man- 
ner, 


553 


ner,  and  in  Congress  assembled,  have,  after  mature  de- 
liberation, agreed  upon  a  set  of  charter  rights,  and  the 
form  of  a  Constitution,  in  manner  following,  videlicit, 

I.  That  the  government  of  this  Province  shall  be 
vested  in  a  Governor,  Legislative  Council,  and  General 
Assembly. 

II.  That  the  said  Legislative  Council  and  Assembly 
shall  be  chosen  for  the  first  time,  on  the  second  Tuesday 
of  August  next;  the  members  whereof  shall  be  the  same 
in  number  and  qualifications  as  is  hereinafter  mentioned  ; 
and  shall  be  and  remain  vested  with  all  the  powers  and 
authority  to  be  held  by  any  future  Legislative  Council 
and  Assembly  of  this  Colony  until  the  second  Tuesday 
in  October  which  will  be  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy-seven. 

III.  That  on  the  said  second  Tuesday  in  October, 
yearly  and  every  year  forever  (with  the  privilege  of  ad- 
jouring  from  day  to  day  as  occasion  may  require)  the 
counties  shall  severally  choose  one  person  to  be  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Legislative  Council  of  this  Colony,  who  shall 
be  and  have  been  for  one  whole  year  next  before  the  elec- 
tion, an  inhabitant  and  freeholder  in  the  County  in 
which  he  is  chosen,  and  worth  at  least  one  thousand 
Pounds,  Proclamation  money,  of  real  and  personal  es- 
tate within  the  same  County:  That,  at  the  same  time, 
each  County  shall  also  choose  three  members  of  Assem- 
bly ;  provided  that  no  person  shall  be  entitled  to  a  seat 
in  the  said  Assembly,  unless  he  be  and  liave  been  for  one 
whole  year  next  before  the  election,  an  inhabitant  of  the 
County  he  is  to  represent,  and  worth  five  hundred 
Pounds,  Proclamation  money,  in  real  and  personal  estate 
in  the  same  County :  That  on  the  second  Tuesday  next 
after  the  day  of  election,  tlie  Council  and  Assembly  shall 
separately  meet;  and  that  the  consent  of  both  houses 
shall  be  necessary  to  every  law,  provided  that  seven  shall 
be  a  quorum  of  the  Council  for  doing  business ;  and  that 
no  law  shall  pass,  unless  there  be  a  majority  of  all  tlie 
Representatives  of  each  body  personally  present  and 
agreeing  thereto.  Provided  always,  That  if  a  majority  of 
the  Representatives  of  this  Province  in  Council  and 
General  Assembly  convened,  shall  at  any  time  or  times 

hereafter. 


554 


hereafter,  judge  it  equitable  and  proper  to  add  to  or 
diminish  the  number  or  proportion  of  the  members  of 
the  Assembly  for  any  County  or  Counties  in  this  Colony, 
then,  and  in  such  case,  the  same  may,  on  the  principles 
of  more  equal  representation,  be  lawfully  done,  anything 
in  this  charter  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding;  so  that 
the  whole  number  of  Representatives  in  Assembly  shall 
not  at  any  time  be  less  than  thirty-nine. 

IV.  That  all  the  inhabitants  of  this  Colony  of  full  age 
who  are  worth  fifty  Pounds,  Proclamation  money,  clear 
estate  in  the  same,  and  have  resided  within  the  County 
in  which  they  claim  a  vote  for  twelve  months  immedi- 
ately preceding  the  election,  shall  be  entitled  to  vote  for 
Representatives  in  Council  and  Assembly  ;  and  also  for 
all  other  publick  officers  that  shall  be  elected  by  the  peo- 
ple of  the  County  at  large. 

V.  That  the  Assembly  when  met,  shall  have  power  to 
choose  a  Speaker,  and  other  their  officers  to  be  judges  of 
the  qualifications  and  election  of  their  own  members; 
sit  upon  their  own  adjournments;  prepare  bills  to  be 
passed  into  laws,  and  to  empower  their  Speaker  to  con- 
vene them,  whenever  an}'  extraordinary  occurrence  shall 
render  it  necessary. 

VI.  That  the  Council  shall  also  have  power  to  prepare 
bills  to  pass  into  laws,  and  have  other  like  powers  as  the 
Assembly,  and  in  all  respects  be  a  free  and  independent 
branch  of  the  Legislature  of  this  Colony  ;  save  only  that 
they  shall  not  prepare  or  alter  any  money  bill,  which 
shall  be  the  privilege  of  the  Assembly  ;  that  the  Council 
shall,  from  time  to  time,  be  convened  by  the  Governor  or 
Vice  President,  but  must  be  convened  at  all  times  when 
the  Assembly  sits;  for  which  purpose  the  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Assembly  shall  always,  immediately  after  an 
adjournment,  give  notice  to  the  Governor  or  Vice  Presi- 
dent of  the  time  and  place  to  which  the  House  is  ad- 
journed. 

VII.  That  the  Council  and  Assembly  jointly  at  their 
first  meeting,  after  each  annual  election,  shall,  by  a 
majority  of  votes,  elect  some  fit  person  within  the  Colony 
to  be  Governor  for  one  year,  who  shall  be  constant  Presi- 
dent of  the  Council,  and  having  a  casting  vote  in  their 

proceedings ; 


555 


proceedinfjs ;  and  that  the  Council  themselves  shall 
choose  a  Vice  President,  who  shall  act  as  such  in  the 
absence  of  the  Governor. 

VIII.  That  the  Governor,  or,  in  his  absence,  the  Vice 
President  of  the  Council,  shall  have  the  supreme  execu- 
tive power,  be  Chancellor  of  the  Colony,  and  act  as  Cap- 
tain-General and  Commander-in-Chief  of  all  the  militia 
and  other  military  force  in  this  Colony;  and  that  any 
three  or  more  of  the  Council  shall,  at  all  times,  be  a 
Privy  Council  to  advise  the  Governor  in  all  cases,  where 
he  may  find  it  necessary  to  consult  them  ;  and  that  the 
Governor  be  Ordinary  or  Surrogate  General. 

IX.  That  the  Governor  and  Council  (seven  whereof 
shall  be  a  quorum)  be  the  Court  of  Appeals  in  the  last 
resort  in  all  causes  of  law  as  heretofore;  and  that  they 
possess  the  power  of  granting  pardons  to  criminals  after 
condemnation  in  all  cases  of  treason,  felony,  or  other 
offences. 

X.  That  captains  and  all  other  inferior  officers  of  the 
militia,  shall  be  chosen  by  the  companies  in  the  respec- 
tive Counties  ;  but  field  and  general  ofiicers  by  the  Coun- 
cil and  Assembly. 

XL  That  the  Council  and  Assembly  shall  have  power 
to  make  the  great  seal  of  this  Colony,  which  shall  be 
kept  by  the  Governor,  or,  in  his  absence,  by  the  Vice 
President  of  the  Council,  to  be  used  by  them  as  occasion 
may  require  ;  and  it  shall  be  called  The  great  seal  of 
the  Colony  of  New  Jersey. 

XII.  That  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  shall  con- 
tinue in  office  for  seven  years,  the  Judges  of  the  Inferior 
Court  of  Common  Pleas  in  the  several  Counties,  Justices 
of  the  Peace,  Clerks  of  the  Supreme  Court,  Clerks  of  the 
Inferior  Courts  of  Common  Pleas,  and  Quarter  Sessions, 
the  Attorney  General  and  Provincial  Secretary,  shall  con- 
tinue in  office  for  five  years,  and  the  Provincial  Treasurer 
shall  continue  in  office  for  one  year;  and  that  tliey  shall 
be  severally  appointed  by  the  Council  and  Assembly  in 
manner  aforesaid,  and  commisioned  by  the  Governor,  or 
in  his  absence,  by  the  Vice  President  of  the  Council. 
Provided  always,  That  the  said  officers  severally  shall  be 
capable  of  being  re-appointed  at  the  end  of  the  terms 

severally  ^ 


556 


severally  before  limited  ;  and  that  any  of  the  said  officers 
shall  be  liable  to  be  dismissed,  when  adjudged  guilty  of 
misbehaviour  by  the  Council  on  an  impeachment  of  the 
Assembly. 

XIII.  That  the  inhabitants  of  each  County,  qualified 
to  vote  as  aforesaid,  shall,  at  the  time  and  place  of  elect- 
ing their  Representatives,  annually  elect  one  Sheriff,  and 
one  or  more  Coroners ;  and  that  they  may  re-elect  the 
same  person  to  such  offices,  until  he  shall  have  served 
three  years,  but  no  longer;  after  wliich  three  years  shall 
elapse  before  the  same  person  is  capable  of  being  elected 
again.  When  the  election  is  certified  to  the  Governor  or 
Vice  President,  under  the  hands  of  six  Freeholders  of 
the  County  for  which  they  were  elected,  tl)ey  shall  be 
immediately  commissioned  to  serve  in  their  respective 
offices. 

XIV.  That  the  Townships,  at  their  annual  town  meet- 
ings for  electing  other  oflficers,  shall  choose  Constables 
for  the  districts  respectively;  and  also  three  or  more 
judicious  Freeholders  of  good  character  to  hear  and 
finally  determine  all  appeals  relative  to  unjust  assess- 
ments in  cases  of  publick  taxation  ;  which  Commission- 
ers of  Appeal  shall  for  that  purpose,  sit  at  some  suitable 
time  or  times  to  be  by  them  appointed,  and  made  known 
to  the  people  by  advertisement. 

XV.  That  the  laws  of  this  Colony  shall  begin  the  fol- 
lowing style,  viz.:  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Council  and  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  this  Colony,  and  it  is  hereby  enacted  by  the 
authority  of  the  same:  That  all  commissions,  granted  by 
the  Governor  or  Vice  President,  shall  run  thus— The 
Colony  of  New  Jersey,  to  A  B,  &c.,  greeting:  And  that 
all  writs  shall  likewise  run  in  the  name  of  the  Colony : 
And  that  all  indictments  shall  conclude  in  the  following 
manner,  viz.,  against  the  peace  of  this  Colony,  the  Gov- 
ern cnent,  and  dignity  of  the  same. 

XVI.  That  all  criminals  shall  be  admitted  to  the  same 
privileges  of  witnesses  and  counsel,  as  their  prosecutors 
are  or  shall  be  entitled  to. 

XVII.  That  the  estates  of  such  persons  as  shall  destroy 
their  own  lives  shall  not,  for  that  offence  be  forfeited  ; 
but  shall  descend  in  the  same  manner  as  they  would 

have 


557 


have  done  bad  such  persons  died  in  a  natural  way;  nor 
shall  any  article,  which  may  occasion  accidentally  the 
death  of  any  one,  be  henceforth  deemed  a  deodand,  or  in 
anywise  forfeited  on  account  of  such  misfortune. 

XVIII.  That  no  person  shall  ever  within  this  Colony 
be  deprived  of  the  inestimable  privilege  of  worshipping 
Almighty  God  in  a  manner  agreeable  to  the  dictates  of 
his  own  conscience;  nor  under  any  pretence  whatsoever 
compelled  to  attend  any  place  of  worship,  contrary  to 
his  own  faith  and  judgment;  nor  shall  any  person 
within  this  Colony  ever  be  obliged  to  pay  tithes,  taxes, 
or  any  other  rates,  for  the  purpose  of  building  or  repair- 
ing any  church,  or  churches,  place  or  places  of  worship, 
or  for  the  maintenance  of  any  minister  or  ministry,  con- 
trary to  what  he  believes  to  be  right,  or  has  deliberately 
or  voluntarily  engaged  himself  to  perform. 

XIX.  That  there  shall  be  no  establishment  of  any  one 
religious  sect  in  this  Province  in  preference  to  another ; 
and  that  no  protestant  inhabitant  of  this  Colony  shall 
be  denied  the  enjoyment  of  any  civil  right  merely  on  ac- 
count of  his  religious  principles;  but  that  all  persons, 
professing  a  belief  in  the  faith  of  any  protestant  sect, 
who  shall  demean  themselves  peaceably  under  the  gov- 
ernment as  hereby  established,  shall  be  capable  of  being 
elected  into  any  office  of  profit  or  trust,  or  being  a  mem- 
ber of  either  branch  of  the  Legislature,  and  shall  fully 
and  freely  enjoy  every  privilege  and  immunity  enjoyed 
by  others  their  fellow  subjects. 

XX.  That  the  Legislative  Department  of  this  Colony 
may,- as  much  as  possible,  be  preserved  from  all  suspi- 
cion of  corruption,  none  of  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  or 
other  Courts,  sheriffs,  or  any  other  person  or  persons 
possessed  of  any  post  of  profit  under  the  government, 
other  than  justices  of  the  peace,  shall  be  entitled  to  a  seat 
in  the  Assembly  ;  but  that,  on  his  being  elected  and  taking 
his  seat,  his  office  or  post  shall  be  considered  as  vacant. 

XXL  That  all  the  laws  of  this  Province,  contained  in 
the  edition  lately  published  by  Mr.  Allinson,  shall  be  and 
remain  in  full  force,  until  altered  by  the  Legislature  of 
this  Colony  (such  only  excepted  as  are  incompatible  with 
this  charter)  and  shall  be,  according  as  heretofore,  re- 
garded 


558 


garded  in  all  respects  by  all  civil  officers,  and  others,  the 
good  people  of  this  Province. 

XXII.  That  the  common  law  of  England,  as  well  as  so 
much  of  the  statute  law,  as  have  been  heretofore  practised 
in  this  Colony,  sliall  still  remain  in  force,  until  they  shall 
be  altered  by  a  future  law  of  the  Legislature ;  such  parts 
only  excepted  as  are  repugnant  to  the  rights  and  privil- 
eges contained  in  this  charter;  and  that  the  inestimable 
right  of  trial  by  jury  shall  remain  confirmed,  as  a  part 
of  tlie  law  of  this  Colony  without  repeal  for  ever. 

XXIII.  That  every  person  who  shall  be  elected  as 
aforesaid  to  be  a  member  of  the  Legislative  Council  or 
House  of  Assembly,  shall,  previous  to  his  taking  his  seat 
ill  Council  or  A.ssembly,  take  the  following  oath  or 
affirmation,  viz  :  I  A  B  do  solmenly  declare,  that  as  a 
member  of  the  Legislative  Council  (or  Assembly,  as  the 
case  may  be)  of  the  Colony  of  New  Jersey,  I  will  not 
assent  to  any  law,  vote  or  proceeding,  which  shall 
appear  to  me  injurious  to  the  publick  welfare  of  said 
Colony,  nor  that  shall  annul  or  repeal  that  part  of  the 
third  section  in  the  charter  of  this  Colony,  which  estab- 
lishes that  the  elections  of  members  of  the  Legislative 
Council  and  Assembly  shall  be  annual,  nor  that  part  of 
the  twenty-second  section  in  said  charter  respecting  the 
trial  by  jury,  nor  that  shall  annul,  repeal  or  alter  any 
part  or  parts  of  the  eighteenth  or  nineteenth  sections  of 
the  same.  And  any  person  or  persons,  who  shall  be 
elected  as  aforesaid,  is  hereby  empowered  to  administer 
to  the  said  members  the  said  oath  or  affirmation. 

Provided  always,  and  it  is  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of 
this  Congress,  That  if  a  reconciliation  between  Great 
Britain  and  these  Colonies  should  take  place,  and  the 
latter  be  again  taken  under  the  protection  and  govern- 
ment of  the  crown  of  Great  Britain,  this  charter  shall  be 
null  and  void,  otherwise  to  remain  firm  and  inviolable. 


Ordinances. 


Ordinances. 


ORDINANCE 
For  regulating  the  ensuing  election. 

Passed  July  15,  1776. 

Whereas  by  the  second  section  of  the  Constitution  of 
this  Colony,  formed  by  this  Congress,  there  is  to  be  a 
Ligislative  Council  and  General  Assembly  elected  by  the 
good  people  of  this  Colony,  on  the  second  Tuesday  in 
August  next ;  and,  pursuant  to  the  same  Constitution,  one 
Sheriff  and  one  or  more  Coroners  in  each  County  ought, 
at  the  same  time,  to  be  elected.  And  whereas  it  was 
thought  proper  not  to  fix  or  insert  in  the  said  Constitution 
either  the  places  or  mode  of  election,  or  the  place  where 
the  said  Council  and  Assembly  shall  meet,  after  they  are 
so  elected,  but  leave  them  to  be  ascertained  by  a  distinct 
ordinance  of  this  Congress. 

Resolved  therefore,  That  the  places  of  election  shall  be  as 
follows :  In  Bergen,  at  the  Court  House  in  New  Barbadoes; 
in  Essex,  at  the  Court  House  in  Newark  ;  in  Middlesex,  at 
the  Court  House  in  New  Brunswick  ;  in  Somerset,  at  the 
♦  Court  House  in  Hillsborough  ;  in  Morris,  at  the  Court 
House  in  Morristown  ;  in  Monmouth,  at  the  Court  House 
at  Freehold;  in  Hunterdon,  at  the  Court  House  in  Tren- 
ton ;  in  Sussex,  at  the  Court  House  in  Newton  :  in  Bur- 
lington, at  the  Court  House  in  the  city  of  Burlington  ;  in 
Gloucester,  at  the  Court  House  in  the  town  of  Glou- 
cester; in  Salem,  at  the  Court  House  in  the  town  of 
Salem  ;  in  Cumberland, attheCourt  House  in  Bridge- town ; 
and  in  Cape  May,  at  the  Court  House  in  the  Middle-Pre- 
cinct, and  that  the  inhabitants  of  each  County,  entitled  to 
vote  for  Representatives  in  the  said  Council  and  General 

Assembly, 


560 


Assembly,  when  met  at  the  place  of  election,  shall,  bet- 
ween the  hours  of  ten  in  the  morning  and  one  in  the 
afternoon,  choose  tiiree  judicious  freeholders  to  preside 
as  Judges  of  the  election;  which  Judges  shall  take  an 
oath  or  affirmation  before  any  Justice  of  the  Peace  for 
the  faithful  and  impartial  discharge  of  their  duty;  and 
the  said  inhabitants  shall  then  proceed  to  elect  such  a 
number  of  Representatives  in  Council  and  Assembly,  as, 
by  the  said  Constitution,  they  are  entitled  to  elect;  and 
also  one  Sheriff,  and  one  or  more  Coroners  ;  adjourning 
from  day  to  day,  and  from  place  to  place,  (except  in  the 
County  of  Salem)  if  it  shall  be  thought  necessary,  pur- 
suant to  the  ordinance  of  the  late  Provincial  Congress. 
And  the  certificate  of  the  Judges,  so  as  aforesaid  ap- 
pointed, together  with  six  good  and  sufficient  freeholders, 
shall  be  a  sufficient  testimonial  of  the  election  of  any 
member  of  Council  or  Assembly ;  the  form  of  which  cer- 
tificate shall  be  as  follows:  We  do  hereby  certify,  That 
on  the  day  of  the  date  hereof,  A,  B  and  C  were  (or  that 
A  was  in  the  certificate  for  a  member  of  Council)  duly 
elected  to  represent  the  County  of  in  the  Gen- 

eral Assembly  of  this  Colony  (or  Legislative  Council  as 
the  case  may  require)  to  be  held  at  Princeton  on  the  27th 
of  this  instant.  Witness  our  hands  and  seals  this 
day  of  August,  1776.  Provided  always,  That  no  person 
or  persons  shall  be  entitled  to  a  seat  in  Council  or  As- 
sembly unless  he  or  they  so  elected  shall  have  first  taken 
the  following  oath  or  affirmation,  to  wit,  I,  A  B,  do  swear 
(or  affirm)  that  I  do  not  hold  myself  bound  to  bear 
allegiance  to  George  the  Third  King  of  Great  Britain  ; 
that  I  will  not  by  any  means,  directly  or  indirectly, 
oppose  the  measures  adopted  by  this  Colony  or  the  Con- 
tinental Congress  against  the  tyranny  attempted  to  be 
established  over  these  Colonies  by  the  Court  of  Great 
Britain;  and  that  I  do  and  will  bear  true  allegiance  to 
the  government  established  in  this  Colony  under  the 
authority  of  the  people. 

And  as  it  is  highly  unreasonable,  that  the  enemies  of 
America  sliould  be  admitted  to  take  an  active  part  in 
our  publick  measures,  no  person  or  persons  shall  be  ad- 
mitted to  vote  at  the  said  election,  unless  he  first  take 

the 


5G1 


the  same  oath  or  affirmation  if  thereunto  required,  by 
any  one  of  tlie  judges  or  inspectors  of  the  said  election ; 
which  oath  or  affirmation  any  one  of  the  judges  afore- 
said shall  be  empowered  to  tender  and  administer  to  any 
or  either  of  the  said  electors. 

And  that  each  person,  who  shall  be  named  as  a  candi- 
date by  any  inhabitant  entitled  to  vote,  shall  be  admit- 
ted to  appoint  one  Inspector  and  one  Clerk ;  which 
Clerks,  when  so  appointed,  shall  be  sworn  or  affirmed  in 
manner  aforesaid  truly  and  impartially  to  take  the  votes 
and  set  down  the  name  and  place  of  abode  of  each  elec- 
tor, and  to  poll  no  voter,  who  is  not  attested,  if  required 
so  to  be  by  any  one  or  more  of  the  Judges  or  Inspectors. 

Provided  always,  That  no  Sheriff  or  Coroner  shall  be 
empowered  to  act  in  his  office,  until  he  shall  be  commis- 
sioned by  the  future  Governor  or  Vice  President  of  the 
Colony,  and  shall  be  further  qualified  in  such  manner, 
as  the  future  Legislature  of  this  Colony  shall  direct  and 
appoint. 

And  it  is  further  resolved,  That  the  Legislative  Council 
and  General  Assembly,  when  so  elected,  shall,  for  the 
first  time,  meet  at  Princeton. 


AN  ORDINANCE 
For  punishing  treason  and  counterfeiting. 

Passed  July  18,  1776. 

Whereas  it  is  necessary  in  these  times  of  danger,  that 
crimes  should  receive  their  due  punishment ;  and  the 
safety  of  the  people  more  especially  requires,  that  all 
persons,  who  shall  be  found  so  wicked  as  to  desire  the 
destruction  of  good  government,  or  to  aid  and  assist  the 
avowed  enemies  of  the  State,  be  punished  with  death. 

Therefore  be  it  resolved  and  ordained  by  this  Convention, 
and  it  is  resolved  and  ordained  by  the  authority  of  the  same, 
That  all  persons  abiding  within  this  State  of  New  Jersey, 
and  deriving  protection  from  the  laws  thereof,  do  owe 

allegiance 

37 


502 


alletriance  to  the  government  of  this  State  as  of  late  es- 
tablished on  the  authority  of  the  people,  and  are  to  be 
deemed  as  members  of  this  State;  and  that  all  persons 
passing  through,  visiting,  or  making  a  temporary  stay  in 
this  State,  being  entitled  to  tlie  protection  of  the  law 
during  such  passage,  visitation  or  temporary  stay,  during 
the  same  time  owe  allegiance  to  this  government. 

And  be  it  further  resolved  and  ordained,  That  all  and 
every  person  or  persons,  members  of,  or  owing  allegiance 
to  this  government,  as  before  described,  who,  from  and 
after  the  date  hereof,  shall  levy  war  against  this  State 
within  the  same,  or  be  adherent  to  the  King  of  Great 
Britain,  or  others  the  enemies  of  this  State  within  the 
same,  or  to  the  enemies  of  the  United  States  of  North 
America,  giving  to  him  or  them  aid  or  comfort,  shall  be 
adjudged  guilty  of  high  treason,  and  suffer  the  pains  and 
penalties  thereof,  in  like  manner  as  by  the  ancient  laws 
of  this  State,  he  or  they  should  have  suffeied  in  cases  of 
high  treason. 

And  be  it  further  resolved  and  ordained,  That  all  and 
every  person  or  persons,  who,  from  and  after  the  date 
hereof,  shall  be  found  guilty  of  reviling  the  government 
of  this  State,  as  by  this  Convention  established,  or  of 
other  seditious  speeches  or  practices,  shall  be  punished  in 
like  manner  as  by  the  former  laws  of  this  State  such  per- 
son or  persons  might  or  ought  to  have  been  punished  for 
such  seditious  speeches  and  practices  against  the  govern- 
ment then  in  being. 

And  be  it  further  resolved  and  ordained,  That  all  and 
every  person  or  persons,  who,  from  and  after  the  date 
liereof,  shall  be  found  guilty  of  counterfeiting  or  altering 
the  Continental  bills  of  credit,  the  bills  of  credit  issued 
by  the  late  Provincial  Congress  of  this  State,  or  the  As- 
semblies, Conventions  or  Congresses  of  any  of  the  United 
States  of  North  America,  or  uttering  the  same  knowing 
them  to  be  counterfeit  or  altered,  shall  be  adjudged 
felons,  and  be  punished  with  death,  in  like  manner  as 
persons  found  guilty  of  counterfeiting  or  knowingly 
altering  the  former  bills  of  credit  of  this  State  might  or 
should  have  been. 

Provided  always,  That  no  person  or  persons  shall  suffer 

death, 


5G3 


death,  or  other  pains  or  penalties,  for  any  of  the  offences 
aforesaid,  until  he  or  they  shall  have  been  first  found 
guilty  of  the  same  offence  or  offences  whereof  he  or  they 
shall  be  charged  and  accused  in  due  course  of  law,  and 
by  the  verdict  of  a  jury. 

Provided  also,  That  nothing  in  this  ordinance  con- 
tained shall  be  construed  to  divest  any  Committee  of  the 
power  they  now  possess  of  examining  and  committing 
any  offenders,  so  that  they  do  not  proceed  to  the  inflic- 
tion of  punishments  for  any  the  offences  in  this  ordi- 
nance contained,  but  leave  the  same  to  be  determined  in 
due  course  of  law  in  manner  aforesaid. 


♦  AN  ORDINANCE 

For  detaching  two  thousand  of  the  militia. 

Passed  July  18,  1776. 

Whereas  the  Honoural)le  Continental  Congress  have 
resolved,  "That  General  Washington  be  desired  to  call 
"  to  his  assistance  two  thousand  of  the  men  who  have 
"  marched  into  New  Jersey  to  form  the  flying  camp,  and 
"that  the  Convention  of  New  Jersey  be  requested  imme- 
"  diately  to  supply  their  places  with  an  equal  number  of 
"  the  militia  of  that  State."  And  whereas,  the  situation  of 
New  York,  the  vicinity  of  New  Jersey  to  the  enemy,  and 
above  all,  the  arrival  of  Lord  Howe,  who,  it  is  probable, 
will  speedily  make  some  decisive  movement,  render  it 
absolutely  necessary,  that  the  most  immediate  and  effec- 
tual steps  be  taken  to  guard  against  the  incursions  of  the 
British  troops,  and  to  strengthen  the  army  of  the  United 
States. 

Resolved  therefore  unanimously,  That  two  thousand  of  the 
militia  of  this  State  be  immediately  detached  to  supply 
the  place  of  the  like  number  taken  from  the  flying  camp 
in  New  Jersey,  and  ordered  to  New  York. 

Resolved, 


5G4 


Bcsolved,  That  said  two  tliousand  militia  compose  four 
battalions,  consisting  of  thirty  companies  of  sixty-four 
non-commissioned  officers  and  privates,  under  the  com- 
mand of  a  Brigadier  General. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  militia  continue  in  service  for 
the  space  of  one  calendar  month,  computing  from  the 
time  of  their  joining  the  flying  camp,  unless  sooner  dis- 
charged ;  that  they  have  the  same  pay,  rations  and  allow- 
ance, as  the  brigade  under  General  Heard  are  entitled  to 
receive  from  the  Continental  Congress,  computing  from 
the  time  of  their  marching  to  the  place  of  destination  ; 
and  that  they  conform  in  all  instances  to  the  regulations 
which  are  or  shall  be  made  for  the  government  of  said 
forces. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  battalions  shall  be  formed  as 
follows  :  one  battalion  to  consist  of  two  companies  from 
the  County  of  Bergen,  three  companies  from  the  County 
of  Essex,  and  two  companies  from  the  County  of  Morris. 

One  battalion  to  consist  of  two  companies  from  the 
County  of  Somerset,  two  companies  from  the  County  of 
Sussex,  and  four  comj)anies  from  the  County  of  Hunter- 
don. 

One  battalion  to  consist  of  three  companies  from  the 
County  of  Middlesex,  three  companies  from  the  County 
of  Monmouth,  (whereof  Captain  Stillwell's  Company  is 
to  be  one),  and  two  companies  from  the  County  of  Salem. 

One  battalion  to  consist  of  three  companies  from  the 
County  of  Burlington,  three  companies  from  the  County 
of  Gloucester,  and  one  company  from  the  County  of 
Cumberland. 

And,  in  order  that  proper  officers  may  be  immediately 
appointed.  Resolved,  That  the  field-officers,  with  the  cap- 
tains and  subalterns  in  each  County,  do  forthwith  assem- 
ble, and  agree  upon  one  captain,  one  lieutenant,  and  one 
ensign,  for  each  company,  to  be  raised  in  their  respective 
Counties ;  and  that  the  field-officers  appointed  to  the  com- 
mand of  eacli  battalion  do  appoint  an  Adjutant  and 
Quarter-Master  for  the  battalion. 

Resolved,  That  each  man  come  equipped  with  a  good 
musket  with  a  bayonet,  (if  the  latter  can  be  procured)  a 
tomahawk,  a  cartouch-box,  blanket,  canteen  and  knap- 
sack. 

Resolved, 


565 


Resolved,  That  the  colonels  of  said  battalions  be  directeil 
to  make  return  as  soon  as  possible  to  this  convention,  or 
to  the  Brigadier-General,  to  be  by  him  laid  before  the 
convention,  of  the  nuinber  of  men  which  turned  out  in 
each  County  of  this  State  in  the  battalions  aforesaid. 

Resolved,  That  the  four  battalions  above  directed  to  be 
raised,  form  one  brigade. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  officers  be  appointed  to  the 
command  of  the  respective  battalions  :  viz.  For  the  bat- 
talion to  be  raised  in  Bergen,  Esse.K  and  Morris,  Edward 
Thomas,  Colonel,  Ellis  Cook,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  John 
Mauritius  Goetschius,  Major ;  for  the  battalion  to  be  raised 
in  the  Counties  of  Somerset,  Sussx  and  Hunterdon,  Mark 
Thompson,  Colonel,  Abraham  Bonnell,  Lieutenant  (colo- 
nel, and  Enos  Kelsey,  Major  ;  for  the  battalion  to  be 
raised  in  the  Counties  of  Middlesex,  Monmouth,  and 
Salem,  George  Tajdor,  Colonel,  Whitton  Cripps,  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel, and  John  Duychinck,  Major;  and  for  the 
battalion  to  be  raised  in  the  Counties  of  Burlington,  Glou- 
cester and  Cumberland,  Charles  Read,  Colonel,  Josiah 
Hillmam,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  William  Ellis,  Major. 

Resolved,  That  any  of  the  said  two  thousand  militia, 
while  in  service,  be  at  liberty  to  enlist  in  the  brigade 
under  the  command  of  General  Heard,  and,  on  such  en- 
listment, shall  be  entitled  to  the  bounty  of  Three  Pounds, 
agreeable  to  the  late  ordinance  of  the  Congres.s. 

And  whereas  camp-kettles  are  extremely  scarce,  and 
indeed  impossible  to  be  procured.  Therefore  resolved.  That 
it  be  recommended  to  the  said  militia  to  bring  with  them 
a  sufficient  number  of  kettles;  and  for  this  purpose  it  is 
further  recommended,  that  every  company  be  divided  in- 
to lots,  six  men  in  a  lot,  and  that  each  lot  furnish  itself 
with  a  kettle.  And  if  said  kettles,  or  any  of  tliem,  should 
happen  to  be  taken  by  the  enem}',  or  endamaged  or  de- 
stroyed in  the  service,  this  State  will  make  the  owners 
full  compensation  for  such  injury  or  loss. 

The  zeal,  alacrity,  and  spirit,  which  the  inhabitants  of 
New  Jersey  have  manifested  during  the  present  most  im- 
portant contest  for  freedom,  is  a  happy  presage,  as  well 
as  the  strongest  assurance,  that  this  requisition  of  their 
Representatives  will  be  carried  into  instant  execution; 

and 


566 


and  the  rather  so,  as  the  brigade,  now  directed  to  be 
raised,  is  particularly  destined  to  guard  this  State.  We 
flatter  ourselves  that  it  is  almost  useless  to  recommend 
the  utmost  dispatch,  as  the  enemy  is  at  hand,  and  the 
danger  pressing  and  great.  The  vicinity  of  a  mortal  foe, 
whose  avowed  design  is  to  reduce  us  to  the  most  abject 
state  of  vassalage,  is  surely  a  call  sufficient  for  freemen. 
Our  brethren  of  Pennsylvania  pour  out  in  thousands  : 
may  New  Jersey  keep  the  illustrious  example  in  view, 
and  evince  to  the  world,  that  the  militia  of  this  State  are 
equally  zealous  in  the  glorious  cause  of  American  free- 
dom !  Remember,  the  hour  is  approaching,  which  will, 
in  all  human  probability,  decide  the  fate  of  America — 
which  will  either  ensure  your  title  to  the  rank  of  free- 
men, or  debase  you  to  the  lowest  class  of  slaves.  Life, 
liberty,  and  property,  all  await  the  issue  of  the  present 
struggle.    Arise,  then,  and  exert  yourselves! 


AN  ORDINANCE 

For  keeping  open  the  communication  between  New  Jer- 
sey and  New  York  by  way  of  the  ferries  over  Passaick 
and  Hackinsack  rivers. 

Passed  August  9,  1776. 

The  Convention  having  received  information  that  the 
ferries  over  Passaick  and  Hackinsack  rivers,  between 
Newark  and  New  York,  are  neither  supplied  by  the  pro- 
prietors thereof,  or  their  tenants  with  such  a  number  of 
scows  and  proper  boats  as  are  requisite  in  our  present 
alarming  situation,  nor  duly  attended.  And  whereas,  it  is 
of  great  importance  that  the  passing  and  repassing  be- 
tween this  State  and  New  York,  while  the  enemy  is  at 
our  door,  should  be  put  on  the  most  convenient  looting; 
and  the  said  proprietors  and  tenants,  notwithstanding  re- 
peated applications,  having  neglected  the  necessary  pro- 
vision for  the  aforesaid  purposes; 


5G7 


It  is  therefore  resolved,  ordained  and  directed,  Tliat  the 
management  and  direction  of  said  ferries  be  taken  out  of 
the  hands  of  the  said  proprietors,  and  that  Messieurs 
William  Camp  and  Joseph  Hedden,  junior,  be,  and  they 
are  hereby,  appointed  Commissioners  to  take  into  their 
hands  the  possession,  sole  management,  and  direction  of 
said  ferries,  and  hold  the  same  for  the  ])uri)oses  aforesaid, 
until  the  first  day  of  December  next,  unless  sooner  dis- 
charged from  this  service  by  the  Legislature  of  this 
State.  And  they,  or  either  of  them,  are  hereby  em- 
powered and  required  to  provide  at  least  four  scows  for 
the  ferries  over  each  of  said  rivers,  and  to  employ  a  suffi- 
cient number  of  hands  to  ply  and  attend  the  same;  and 
also  to  provide  ropes  to  be  stretched  across  the  said 
rivers,  and  all  such  articles  as  they  shall  judge  expedient 
for  the  service  aforesaid. 

And  it  is  further  resolved  and  directed,  That  no  troops  in 
the  service  of  the  United  States,  or  of  any  of  them,  nor 
their  baggage,  ammunition,  or  their  other  waggons,  car- 
riages, or  horses,  shall  pay  more  than  one  third  part  of 
of  the  ferriage  paid  by  such  as  are  not  in  said  service; 
and,  to  prevent  a  misconstruction  ot  tliis  resolve,  It  is 
hereby  declared,  That  commissaries  or  other  persons  sup- 
plying the  army  by  contract  with  provisions,  stures,  &c. 
are  not  intended  to  be  either  included  in,  or  to  receive 
any  private  benefit  from  the  said  resolve. 

And  it  is  further  resolved  and  directed,  That  the  said  Com- 
missioners keep  an  exact  account  as  well  of  the  expences 
and  disbursements,  as  of  the  monies  they  shall  receive 
for  ferriages.  And  the  said  Commissioners,  or  either  of 
them,  are  hereby  authorised  to  draw  orders  on  either  of 
the  Treasurers  of  this  State  for  such  sums  of  money  as 
shall  be  necessary  for  the  disbursements  aforesaid,  and 
his  or  their  receipts  thereof  shall  be  sufficient  vouchers 
to  indemnify  the  said  Treasurers,  their  heirs,  executors 
and  administrators  for  the  payment  of  said  orders;  and 
at  the  expiration  of  the  said  term,  the  said  accounts  of 
disbursements  and  monies  received  for  ferriage  by  the 
Commissioners,  shall  be  submitted  to  the  examination  of 
the  said  proprietors,  who  shall  and  may  then  choose, 
either  to  accept  of  the  profits  arising  from  the  said  ferries 

while 


568 


while  in  the  hands  of  said  Commissioners,  after  paying 
tliereoiit  such  sum  for  said  Commissioners' attendance  on 
the  business  aforesaid,  as  by  the  Representatives  of  this 
State  shall  be  adjudged,  or  be  paid  a  reasonable  rent  for 
the  ferries  during  the  time  aforesaid. 


AN  ORDINANCE 
For  detaching  one  half  of  the  militia. 

Passed  August  11,  1776. 

The  Convention  viewing  with  serious  concern  the 
present  alarming  situation  of  this  and  their  sister  States, 
that  on  a  prudent  use  of  the  present  moment  depend 
their  lives,  their  liberty  and  happiness,  think  it  their  in- 
dispensible  duty  to  put  the  militia  on  such  a  footing, 
that  their  whole  force  may  be  most  advantageously 
exerted  ;  and  to  call  out  the  one  half  into  immediate  ser- 
vice, to  be  relieved  by  the  other  monthly. 

Be  it  therefore  resolved,  ordained  and  directed,  That  all 
able-bodied  men,  without  exception,  in  this  State,  between 
the  ages  of  sixteen  and  fifty,  be  immediately  enrolled  by 
the  captains  of  the  militia,  in  whose  districts  they  live, 
into  their  several  companies,  and  be  called,  and  deemed 
to  be,  in  construction  of  this  Ordinance,  the  militia  of 
this  State,  and  to  be  in  that  regiment  to  which  the  com- 
pany they  are  enrolled  in  belongs;  and  that  the  said 
militia  be  formed  into  two  divisions  in  manner  follow- 
ing, to  wit,  orders  shall  be  immediately  issued  by  the 
Brigadiers-General  to  the  several  Colonels  or  command- 
ing officers  of  ever}'  regiment  and  battalion  within  this 
State  to  call  together  without  delay  all  that  are  directed 
as  aforesaid  to  be  enrolled  in  their  several  companies; 
and  in  those  regiments  or  battalions  where  one  half  will 
not  turn  out  volunteers  to  serve  in  the  first  division,  that 
the  divisions  be  determined  by  lot. 

That 


569 


That  the  first  division  be  immediately  equipped  with 
arms  and  every  necessary  accoutrement  that  can  be  ob- 
tained, and  four  days'  provision,  and  march  with  all  dis- 
patch to  join  the  flying  camp  in  this  State.  And,  to  the 
end  that  the  several  divisions  may  be  properly  formed 
and  officered.  It  is  hereby  directed,  That  the  battalions  of 
the  first  division  shall  be  formed  as  follows,  to  wit,  one 
battalion  from  the  regiments  or  battalions  whereof  Philip 
Van  Cortland  and  Edward  Thomas,  Esquires,  are  Colo- 
nels ;  another  battalion  from  the  regiment  whereof  Theu- 
nis  Dey,  Esquire,  is  Colonel ;  another  battalion  from  the 
battalions  whereof  Jacob  Ford  and  Jacob  Drake,  Esquires, 
are  Colonels;  another  battalion  from  the  two  regiments 
and  one  battalion  whereof  Mark  Thompson,  Ephraim 
Martin,  and  John  Cleves  Symmes,  Esquires,  are  Colonels; 
another  battalion  from  the  two  battalions  whereof  Ste- 
phen Hunt  and  Abraham  Quick,  Esquires,  are  Colonels  ; 
another  battalion  from  the  battalions  whereof  George 
Taylor,  David  Brearley,  and  Daniel  Hendrickson,  Es- 
quires, are  Colonels;  another  battalion  from  the  battal- 
ions whereof  Jonathan  Deare,  Esquire,  is  Lieutenant- 
Colonel,  and  John  Neilson  and  John  Duychinck,  Esquires, 
are  Colonels ;  another  battalion  from  the  battalions 
■whereof  Isaac  Smith  and  David  Chambers,  Esquires,  are 
Colonels;  another  battalion  from  the  battalions  whereof 
Joseph  Beavers  and  John  Mehelm,  Esquires,  are  Colonels; 
another  battalion  from  the  battalions  whereof  Joseph 
Borden  and  Charles  Read,  Esquires,  are  Colonels ;  another 
battalion  from  the  battalions  whereof  Joseph  Ellis  and 
Richard  Somers,  Esquires,  are  Colonels,  and  Samuel 
Tonkin,  Esquire,  is  Lieutenant-Colonel ;  another  battal- 
ion from  the  battalions  whereof  Samuel  Dick  and  John 
Holme,  Esquires,  are  Colonels ;  and  another  battalion 
from  the  battalions  whereof  Silas  Newcomb  and  David 
Potter,  Esquires,  are  Colonels. 

That  the  field  and  other  officers  of  every  two  regiments 
or  battalions,  from  whence  by  division  a  battalion  is  to 
be  formed  as  aforesaid,  meet  together  as  soon  as  possible  ; 
and  the  officers  to  command  each  division  shall  be  de- 
termined as  follows :  one  of  the  regiments  or  battalions 
shall  furnish  a  Colonel,  the  other  a  Lieutenant-Colonel, 

and 


570 


and  so  alternately  the  Majors  and  other  officers;  and  if 
it  cannot  readily  be  agreed  by  the  said  officers,  which 
regiment  or  battalion  shall  furnish  the  Colonel,  or  other 
field  officer  for  the  first  division,  the  same  shall  be  deter- 
mined by  lot;  and  wheresoever  there  are  a  greater  num- 
ber of  companies  in  one  than  in  the  other  of  the  said 
regiments  or  battalions  from  whence  one  is  to  be  formed 
as  aforesaid,  if  the  Captains  and  subalterns  in  that  regi- 
ment or  battalion  containing  the  greatest  number  of  com- 
panies do  not  agree  among  themselves  who  shall  serve 
in  the  first  division,  the  same  shall  be  determined  by  lot. 

That  in  the  County  where  there  is  but  one  regiment, 
either  the  Colonel  and  one  of  the  Majors,  or  the  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel and  the  other  Major  go  out  with  the  first 
division;  and  if  not  agreed  on  among  themselves  which 
of  them  shall  go  in  the  first  division,  the  same  shall  be 
determined  by  lot;  and  wheresoever  a  battalion  is  to  be 
formed  out  of  three  regiments  or  battalions,  the  field 
officers  shall  go  out  in  rotation. 

That  the  battalions  for  the  second  division  shall  be 
formed  in  like  manner  as  those  of  the  first  division,  to 
wit:  each  of  the  remaining  half  parts  of  such  regiments 
or  battalions  out  of  which  a  battalion  is  above  directed 
to  be  formed  for  the  first  division,  shall  form  a  battalion 
for  the  second  division. 

That  the  first  division  shall  continue  in  service  for  and 
during  the  term  of  one  month,  to  be  computed  from  the 
time  of  joining  the  flying  camp  ;  and  then,  unless  sooner 
discharged,  to  be  relieved  by  the  second  division,  and  so 
alternately  every  month,  until  orders  to  the  contrary 
shall  be  issued  by  the  Legislature,  the  Commander-in- 
Chief,  or  one  of  the  Brigadiers-General  of  this  State. 

That  to  the  end  that  every  man  of  the  first  division 
may  be  completely  equipped  as  far  as  possible,  the  seve- 
ral Colonels  or  commanding  officers  of  each  regiment  or 
battalion  of  the  militia  are  hereby  directed  to  take  from 
the  militia  of  the  second  division  of  their  respective  regi- 
ments or  battalions  a  sufficient  number  of  their  best  arms, 
and  equip  those  of  the  first  division,  giving  receipts  and 
taking  just  appraisements;  and,  when  relieved  by  the 
second  division,  those  of  the  first  shall  redeliver  the  same 

to 


571 


to  them  ;  and  also  such  numbers  of  their  own  arms  as 
shall  be  needed  to  be  taken,  and  appraised  in  the  manner 
aforesaid;  and  the  same  arms  so  at  anytime  lent  or 
taken,  if  lost  or  damaged  in  the  service,  shall  be  made 
good  by  this  State. 

That  every  private  shall  and  may  have  the  liberty  of 
timely  providing  an  able-bodied  man  to  serve  in  his 
stead,  to  be  approved  by  the  Captain  of  the  company  in 
which  he  is  to  serve. 

That  every  officer  refusing  to  serve  in  his  turn  shall 
be  casliiered  and  reduced  into  the  ranks,  and  shall  be 
fined  in  manner  following:  a  Colonel  twenty  Pounds; 
a  Lieutenant-Colonel  fifteen  Pounds;  a  Major  twelve 
Pounds;  a  Captain  eight  Pounds;  a  Lieutenant,  Ensign, 
or  Adjutant,  six  Pounds;  a  non-commissioned  officer 
three  Pounds ;  and  every  private  refusing  to  serve  in  his 
turn  as  aforesaid,  shall  be  fined  three  Pounds. 

That  the  pay  of  the  officers  and  privates,  to  be  com- 
puted froQi  the  time  of  their  marching  to  join  the  flying 
camp,  shall  be,  in  all  respects,  the  same  as  those  in  the 
Continental  service. 

And  whereas  the  principles  of  equity  and  humanity 
require  that  a  proper  compensation  and  provision  be 
made  for  the  families  of  all  such  as  may  be  killed  or 
wounded  in  the  service;  the  Convention  pledge  the  faith 
of  this  State,  that  an  adequate  provision  for  the  purpose 
aforesaid  shall  be  made  in  such  manner,  as  that  an  equit- 
able share  of  the  burden  shall  fall  upon  those  who  do  not 
go  out  with  one  or  other  of  said  divisions  on  their  tour 
of  service ;  it  being  clearly  the  opinion  of  the  Convention, 
that  the  fines  above  mentioned  to  be  paid  by  those  who 
do  not  go  out,  being  but  a  small  share  of  property,  are 
not  equivalent,  nor  can  with  any  degree  of  reason  be  put 
in  competition  with  the  risk  of  lives  and  limbs  of  those 
who  go  into  the  service;  and  also  upon  persons  of  pro- 
perty above  the  age  of  fifty,  who  are  neither  required  to 
do  duty  nor  pay  any  fine. 

In  this  interesting  situation — viewing  on  the  one  hand 
— an  active,  inveterate,  and  implacable  enemy,  increas- 
ing fast  in  strength,  daily  receiving  large  reinforcements, 
and  industriously  preparing  to  strike  some  decisive  blow: 

on 


572 


on  the  other — a  considerable  part  of  the  inhabitants 
supinely  slumbering  on  the  brink  of  ruin — and  moved 
with  affecting  apprehensions,  the  Convention  think  it 
incumbent  upon  them  to  warn  their  constituents  of  the 

impending  danger.  On  you,  our  friends  and  brethren, 

it  depends,  this  day,  to  determine — Whether  you,  your 
wives,  your  children,  and  millions  of  your  descendants, 
yet  unborn,  shall  wear  the  galling,  the  ignominious  yoke 
of  slavery ;  or  nobly  inherit  the  generous,  the  inestima- 
ble blessings  of  freedom.  The  alternative  is  before 

you — can  you  hesitate  in  your  choice?  can  you  doubt 
which  to  prefer?  Say! — will  you  be  slaves?  Will  you 
toil  and  labour  and  glean  together  a  little  property, 
merely  that  it  may  be  at  the  disposal  of  a  relentless  and 
rapacious  conqueror? — Will  you,  of  choice,  become  hew- 
ers of  wood  and  drawers  of  water?  Impossible!  You 
cannot  be  so  amazingly  degenerate  as  to  lick  the  hand 

that  is  raised  to  shed  your  blood  !  Nature  and  nature's 

God  have  made  you  free!  Liberty  is  the  birthright  of 

Americans!  the  gift  is  of  heaven!  and  the  instant  it  is 
forced  from  you,  you  take  leave  of  every  thing  valuable 
on  earth  !  Your  happiness  or  misery,  virtuous  inde- 
pendence or  indignant  servitude,  hang  trembling  in  the 

balance  !  Happily,  we  know  we  can  anticipate  your 

virtuous  choice — With  confident  satisfaction  we  are  as- 
sured, that  not  a  moment  will  delay  your  important  de- 
cision— that  you  cannot  feel  hesitation,  whether  you  will 
tamely  and  degenerately  bend  your  necks  to  the  irretriev- 
able wretchedness  of  slavery — or  by  your  instant  and 
animated  exertions  enjoy  the  fair  inheritance  of  heaven- 
born  freedom,  and  transmit  it  unimpaired  to  your  pos- 
ter it}'. 


An 


573 


AN  ORDINANCE 
To  provide  for  the  payment  of  incidental  charges. 

Passed  August  21,  1776. 

Whereas  it  is  necessary  to  provide  for  the  payment  of 
such  incidental  charges  as  have  accrued  during  the  sit- 
tings of  this  Convention. 

It  is  therefore  resolved  and  directed,  That  there  be  paid  by 
either  of  the  treasurers  to  the  president  and  each  of  the 
members  of  tins  Convention  the  sum  of  six  Shillings  per 
diem  for  every  day  they  have  or  shall  attend  during  the 
continuance  of  tliis  Convention,  to  be  certified  by  Mr. 
Elmer,  Dr.  Bloomfield,  Mr.  Patterson,  and  Mr.  Hand,  or 
any  two  of  them. 

To  the  Secretary  of  this  Convention  the  sum  of  four- 
teen Shillings  per  diem  for  each  day  lie  hath  or  shall  at- 
tend this  Convention,  to  be  certified  as  aforesaid. 

To  Lieutenant-Colonel  Bowes  Read,  the  sum  of  fifty-one 
Pounds  two  Shillings  and  ten  Pence,  in  full  of  his  account 
for  himself  and  guard  for  William  Franklin,  Esq.  while 
a  prisoner  in  Burlington,  and  on  his  way  to  Princeton  ; 
and  the  guard's  pay  for  six  nights  and  two  days  while  on 
said  service. 

To  Colonel  Charles  Read  and  Major  Haight  the  sum  of 
eighty-seven  Pounds  seven  Shilling  and  ten  Pence,  in  full 
for  the  pay  and  subsistence  for  themselves,  officers  and 
privates,  on  their  first  expedition  to  Monmouth. 

To  Lieutenant  C'olonel  Ellis  Cook  five  Pounds  eighteen 
Shillings  and  seven  Pence,  York  money,  in  full  for  six 
days wages  and  subsistence,  and  cash  paid  for  ferriage  of 
one  hundred  and  fifty  men  of  his  detachment. 

To  Joseph  Hugg,  Esquire,  three  Pounds  five  Shillings 
and  six  Pence,  in  full  of  his  account  for  transporting  two 
tons  and  four  pounds  of  powder,  expense  of  loading, 
storing,  &c. 

To  John  Dennis,  Esquire,  twenty-five  Shillings,  in  full 
of  his  account  for  paper  furnished  for  the  Convention. 

To 


574 


To  Daniel  Bellingeau,  door-keeper,  for  liis  attending 
fourteen  days  at  Trenton,  two  Pounds  sixteen  Shillings, 
in  full  of  his  account. 

To  John  Cleves  Symmes,  for  Doctor  Baldwin's  bill, 
three  Pounds  twelve  Shillings  and  eleven  Pence,  and  two 
Pounds  two  Shillings  and  eight-pence,  for  attending  two 
Continental  soldiers  of  Colonel  Maxwell's  battalion;  and 
four  Shillings  for  horse  hire,  in  full  of  his  account. 

To  Rensselier  Williams  six  Pounds  six  Shillings,  in 
full  of  his  account. 

To  Mrs.  Rachel  Steele  three  Pounds  eighteen  Shillings 
and  four  Pence,  in  full  of  her  account. 

To  Lieutenant  Ellet  Howell  eighteen  Shillings,  in  full 
of  his  account  for  guarding  Thomas  Okeson  from  Bur- 
lington to  Trenton. 

To  Captain  Thomas  Kinney  one  hundred  and  five 
Pounds  one  Shilling  and  seven  Pence,  for  himself  and 
guard  in  attending  William  Franklin,  Esq.  from  Morris- 
town  to  Governor  Trumbull,  in  the  State  of  Connecticut. 

To  Aaron  Penson  and  .James  Nutman  the  sum  of  five 
Pounds,  in  full  for  guarding  Conrad  Hendricks  to  Tren- 
ton. 

To  Colonel  Nathaniel  Heard,  Esq.  fifty-four  Pounds 
ten  Shillings  and  five  Pence,  in  full  of  his  account  for 
guarding  William  Franklin,  Esq.  from  Amboy  to  Burl- 
ington. 

To  Colonel  Nathaniel  Heard,  Esq.  seven  hundred  and 
fifty-three  Pounds  nine  Shillings  and  seven  Pence,  in  full 
of  his  account  for  the  Middlesex,  Essex  and  Somerset 
militias,  for  the  expedition  to  Staten  Island,  at  the  re- 
quest of  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  New  York,  on  their 
promise  of  repayment. 

To  Captain  James  Wheeler  fifty-two  Pounds  one  Shil- 
ling and  two  Pence,  in  full  of  his  account  in  marching 
his  company  of  militia  to  New  York,  by  order  of  lord 
Stirling,  Brigadier-General. 

To  Captain  Robert  Drummond  one  Pound  fourteen 
Shillings  and  eleven  Pence,  in  full  for  Nicholas  Roche's 
account  of  expences  and  medicines  for  the  militia  when 
inarching  to  Long  Island. 

To  Frederick  Frelinghuysen  sixty-one  Pounds  thir- 
teen 


575 

teen  Shillings  and  two  Pence,  being  the  balance  due  to 
him  and  men  by  him  enlisted  for  the  eastern  company 
of  artillery,  who  were  discharged  upon  his  resignation. 

To  Major  John  Dunn  twenty-seven  Shillings  and  three 
Pence,  in  full  for  his  account  of  expenses  to  Monmouth 
Courthouse  by  order  of  the  Convention. 

To  Doctor  Moses  Bloomfield  five  Pounds  eleven  Shil- 
lings and  five  Pence,  in  full  of  his  account  of  medicines 
and  attendance  on  Captain  Neil's  artillery  company. 

To  Jonathan  Bowen  ten  Shillings,  in  full  of  his  ex- 
pences  to  Salem. 

To  Colonel  George  Taylor,  Esquire,  one  hundred  and 
seventy-six  Pounds  eighteen  Shillings  and  two  Pence,  in 
full  of  the  balance  due  him  as  commissary,  and  review- 
ing Caotain  Still  well's  company. 

To  Lieutenant-Colonel  Samuel  Forman  seventy-nine 
Pounds  eleven  Shillings  and  seven  Pence,  in  part  for  his 
account  for  himself  and  the  officers  and  men  under  his 
command,  in  pursuit  of  the  disaffected  in  Monmouth 
County,  by  order  of  this  Convention. 

To  Lieutenant-Colonel  Samuel  Forman  fifteen  Pounds 
ten  Shillings  and  three  Pence,  in  full  of  the  balance  due 
for  his  militia  marching  in  the  County  of  Monmouth 
with  Colonel  Charles  Read,  in  apprehending  disaffected 
persons. 

To  Captain  Robert  Rhea  four  Pounds  four  Shillings 
and  three  Pence,  in  full  of  his  account  for  guarding 
Thomas  Okeson  from  Monmouth  to  Burlington. 

To  Josiah  Franklin  Davenport  three  Pounds,  in  full  of 
his  account  for  boarding  William  Franklin,  Esquire,  and 
his  servant,  one  week. 

To  Captain  William  Kelsey  thirty  Pounds  towards  sub- 
sisting his  company  on  their  march  from  Cumberland  to 
New  York,  to  join  the  brigade  under  General  Heard. 

To  Colonel  Charles  Read  and  Major  Haight  two  hun- 
dred Pounds  six  Shillings  and  two  Pence,  in  full  of  their 
accounts  for  the  second  expedition  with  the  militia  of 
Burlington,  into  the  County  of  Monmouth,  in  pursuit  of 
the  disaffected. 

To  Lieutenant  Colonel  Bowes  Reed  the  sum  of  two 
hundred  and  one  Pounds  towards  defraying  the  expense 

of 


576 


of  removing  the  Continental  prisoners  from  Burlington 
to  York  County  in  Pennsylvania  with  their  baggage. 

To  John  Schurman,  Chairman  of  the  County  Com- 
mittee of  Middlesex  the  sum  of  twenty-five  Pounds  for  the 
purpose  of  paying  the  price  of  hiring  baggage-waggons, 
expresses,  &c. 

To  Doctor  Thomas  Wiggins,  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee at  Princeton,  the  sum  of  twenty-five  Pounds  for 
forwarding  expresses,  &c. 

To  Colonel  Joseph  Borden,  Esquire,  the  sum  of  fifty- 
four  Pounds,  in  full  of  his  account  for  fourteen  waggons 
eipployed  in  transporting  the  baggage  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Brodhead's  battalion  of  riflemen  from  Borden- 
town  to  Brunswick  and  Amboy,  in  the  Continental  service. 

To  Colonel  Joseph  Borden  one  hundred  and  twenty 
three  Pounds  one  Shilling  and  one  Penny,  for  paying 
bounty  and  subsistence  of  twenty-five  men  in  Captain 
Anderson's  company. 

To  the  Committee  of  the  County  of  Bergen  the  sum  of 
three  hundred  and  fifty-five  Pounds  ten  Shillings,  in  full 
of  their  account  for  seventy-nine  stand  of  arms  delivered 
Captain  Meeker,  in  Lord  Stirling's  battalion. 

To  Benjamin  Thornell,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of 
Woodbridge,  the  sum  of  twenty-five  Pounds,  to  be  em- 
ployed in  paying  expresses,  baggage-waggons,  &c. 

To  Lieutenant-Colonel  Jonathan  Deare,  two  Pounds 
eighteen  Sliillings  and  six  Pence,  in  full  of  his  account 
for  conducting  the  Eastern  Treasurer  from  Araboy  to 
Trenton. 

To  Daniel  Isaac  Brown,  for  the  County  of  Bergen,  one 
Pound  eighteen  Shillings  and  nine  Pence,  in  full  for 
flints  and  bullets  delivered  Captain.  Meeker,  in  Lord 
Stirling's  battalion,  for  the  Continental  service. 

To  Lieutenant  Alexander  Mitchell,  the  sum  of  thirty- 
six  Pounds  fifteen  Shillings,  on  account  of  two  weeks' 
subsistence  due  Captain  Whitall,  and  his  officers,  and 
thirty-seven  privates  in  Colonel  Newcomb's  regiment,  in 
General  Heard's  brigade. 

To  Colonel  Charles  Read,  the  sum  of  twenty  Pounds, 
towards  equipping  the  militia  under  his  command,  to  be 
accounted  for  by  Colonel  Read,  or  the  Committee  of 
Burlington  County. 

To 


577 


To  Major  Sidney  Berry,  four  hundred  and  seventy-five 
Pounds  eleven  Shillings  and  six  Pence,  in  full  for  the 
Somerset  and  Hunterdon  militias  apprehending  certain 
disaffected  persons  in  the  County  of  Hunterdon. 

To  the  Brigadier-Generals  Dickinson  and  Livingston, 
the  sum  of  one  thousand  Pounds  each,  towards  expedit- 
ing the  marching  the  militia  to  the  assistance  of  New 
York,  or  to  join  the  flying  camp,  for  which  they  are  to 
be  accountable  to  this  Convention  or  the  future  Legisla- 
ture. 

To  the  wives  of  William  Burtless,  Hugh  Mac  Clain  and 
John  Wilson,  soldiers  in  Captain  Brearley's  company,  in 
Colonel  Maxwell's  battalion,  the  sum  of  twenty-five  Shill- 
ings per  month,  from  the  sixth  of  Februarj'^  last  past, 
being  so  much  stopt  in  the  hands  of  Captain  Brearley 
towards  their  support,  out  of  the  monthly  pay  of  the  said 
Burtless,  Mac  Clain,  and  Wilson,  as  appears  by  Captain 
Brearley's  certificates. 

To  Doctor  Moses  Scott,  four  Pounds,  in  full  for  a  gun 
lost  in  the  service  of  this  State,  which,  when  found,  to  be 
delivered  to  either  of  the  Treasurers  for  the  use  of  this 
State. 

To  William  Hay  the  sum  of  three  Pounds  fifteen 
Shillings,  for  going  express  to  Burlington,  in  full  of  his 
account. 

To  Joseph  Taylor  twenty  Shillings,  in  full  of  his  ac- 
count for  freight  of  powder  from  Burlington  to  Trenton. 

To  the  President,  forty-six  Shillings  and  eight  Pence, 
in  full  of  his  account  for  postage  of  letters. 

To  Frederick  Frelinghuysen,  Esquire,  sixteen  Shillings 
and  four  Pence,  to  pay  for  bringing  four  prisoners  from 
Somerset  to  Princeton. 

To  John  Taylor,  fifty-four  Shillings,  in  full  of  his  ac- 
count for  bringing  a  deserter  from  Sandy  Hook  to  Burl- 
ington. 

To  Captain  Thomas  Kinney,  seven  Pounds  six  Shill- 
ings and  eight  Pence,  in  full  of  a  mistake  made  in  his 
account  of  pay  and  expenses  for  guarding  William 
Franklin  to  Governor  Trumbull  in  Connecticut. 

To  Joseph  Kobinson,  for  attending  as  door-keeper 

twenty-five 

38 


578 


twenty-five  days,  at  four  Shillings  per  day,  the  sum  of 
five  Pounds. 

To  Thomas  Hutton  the  sum  of  six  Pounds  fifteen 
Shillings,  in  full  for  the  time  he  spent  in  searching  for 
lead  and  sulphur  mines  and  flint  quarries,  by  order  of 
this  Convention. 

Which  certificates,  with  receipts  endorsed  thereon,  shall 
be  sufficient  vouchers  to  the  said  Treasurers,  or  either  of 
them,  and  shall  discharge  them,  their  heirs,  executors, 
and  administrators  from  the  several  payments  so  made 
and  paid  out  of  the  treasury  by  virtue  of  this  ordinance. 

Index. 


If 


INDEX. 


Index. 


Page. 

ABGAR. 

Peter   478 

ACQUACK  AN  ONK- 

Meeting  of  Freeholders  and  Inhabitants  .'   110 

ACT- 

For  support  of  Government   77-85 

For  striking  One  Hundred  Thousand  Pounds — approved   134 

For  relief  of  Abner  Hatfield — approved   134 

For  lowering  rate  of  interest  on  money — disallowed   136 

ADDEBSS- 

Governour  Franklin  to  Assembly...   64,  144,  283,  310 

Grand  Jury  of  Essex  County  to  Chief  Justice  Smyth   31 

To  his  Majesty,  the  King   88 

To  Governour  Franklin   58,  74,  1.39,  309 

AIRS, 

Nathaniel   114 

ALEXANDER, 

William  (Lord  Stirling)   56 

57,  58,  59,  60,  62,  87,  199,  245,  314,  336,  346,  348,  380,  384 

ALLEN, 

Joseph   38 

John   445,  452,  463 

ALLING, 

Joseph   381 

ANDERSON, 

Ephraim   212,  246 

John   5,  23,  96,  97,  356,  405 

Thomas   19,  31 

ANNIN, 

William   162 

APPLETON, 

Nathaniel   30 

APPLEGATE, 

William   344,  355 

ARTICLES- 

Of  Association   176 

ASSEMBLY— 

Extract  from  Minutes   1 

Essex  County   36 

New  Jersey   63,  117,  282 

Association — 


582 


Page. 

ASSOCIATION- 

General  Committee  of  Newark   112,  149 

ATKINSON, 

Aaron   293 

ATTORNEY  GENERAL— 

Cortland  Skinner   303,  403 

ATJTER, 

Richard   380 

AYARS. 

Jonathan   197 

AYERS, 

Jonathan   456 

BADCOCK, 

Joseph   362,  378 

BAKER, 

Matthias   42,  43,  45,  46,  55 

BALDING, 

Jonathan   17 

BALDWIN, 

Cornelius   394,  496,  574 

Jonathan     43,  169,  184 

BALL, 

Samuel   106 

BALLARD, 

Jeremiah    374 

BARBER, 

Francis     354 

Thomas   346 

BARCLAY, 

Charles    42 

BARD, 

Samuel   543 

BARNES, 

John    513 

BARNET, 

Ichabod  B   227 

Oliver   369 

William   36,  345 

BARB, 

Captain   537 

BARRACKS   330 

BARRON. 

Ellis   42,  45,  46,  329 

BARTON, 

Aaron   293 

Joseph   117,  132,  282 

BASSET, 

John   170 

BATES, 

David   204 

Bayles, 


583 


Pa«e. 

BAYLES, 

Piatt   529 

BEACH, 

Ezekiel   158 

BEAUMONT, 

Doctor   501 

BEAVERS, 

Joseph   184,  569 

BELLINGEAU. 

Daniel   255,  574 

BERGAN, 

Jacob   162 

BERGEN  COUNTY- 

Assesstuent   421 

Committee   115,  164 

Deputies   169,  183,  197,  325,  445 

Receive  pay  for  arms   522 

Eesolutions   9,  156 

BERRY, 

Ebenezer   477 

John   110,  169 

Samuel   115 

Sidney   550,  577 

BERTLES, 

William   493 

BIDDLE, 

Colonel   539 

BLACK, 

John    52 

BLACKFORD, 

Daniel   115 

BLANCHARD, 

Cornelius   462 

John    36 

Rinear   356 

BLAUVELT, 

Abraham  J   534 

Cornelius  D   534 

BLOOMFIELD, 

Ezekiel   535 

Jonathan   329 

Joseph   356 

Moses   108,  445,  5/5 

Timothy   42,  45 

BOGART, 

Ciisbart   162 

Guilliara   534 

Jacob   162 

BOLLAN. 

William    118 

Bonnell, 


584 


Page. 

BONNELL, 

Abraham    184,  565 

Isaac   497,  504,  529,  533 

BONKY, 

James    829 

BORDEN. 

Jo.seph  52,  108,  170,  184,  194,  196,  474,  492,  513,  569,  576 

BOSTON— 

Committee  of  Correspondence   28,  29 

BOTT, 

William   36,  500 

BOUDINOT, 

Elias   8,  35,  36,  108,  169,  173,  175,  183 

Elisha   113 

Jonathan    446,  575 

BOWLSBY. 

Kichard   363,  364 

BRADY, 

John   487 

BRAY, 

Daniel   42 

BREARLEY, 

Benjamin   14 

David   451,  460,  463,  551,  569 

Joseph   202 

8amuel   497 

BRIGGS, 

Joseph,  Jun   38 

BRINK  ERHOFF, 

George   394 

BROADHEAD, 

Lieutenant  Colonel   492 

BROKAW, 

Isaac   523 

BROWN, 

Abia   19,  31,  197,  325 

Daniel  Isaac   445,  576 

John    522 

Thomas   115,  116 

BRCEN, 

Caleb   381 

David    62 

BUCK, 

John   446 

BDCKLEW, 

Abraham   42 

BUDD, 

Joseph   52 

Thomas,  Jun   52,  293 

Budd, 


585 


Page. 

BUDD, 

William   293 

BUDON. 

Hendrick   394 

BURGESSES- 

Virginia   2 

BURLINGTON  COUNTY— 

Assessment   421 

Depulies   170,  184,  197,  325,  446,  451 

('onimittee   51,  155 

Petition  to  hold  election  for  Deputies   453 

BURLINGTON  CITY— 

Committee    155 

House  of  Assembly  met  at   1,  117 

Provincial  Congress  met  at   445 

BURNET, 

Matthias   52 

William   112,  113,  375,  507,  508 

BURR, 

Henry   293 

Joseph,  Jun   293 

BURRO  WES- 
John   23,  463 

BURROWS,  . 

Stephen   205 

BURTLESS, 

William   577 

BUSKIRK, 

Thomas   478,  487,  527 

BUTTBRWORTH, 

Joseph   293 

CAMP, 

Caleb   38,  39,  40,  101,  113,  149,  169,  183,  197.  325,  445,  490 

William    567 

CAMPBELL, 

Colin   52,  170,  184 

James   201 

Peter   253 

CAPE  MAY  COUNTY- 

Assessmeut   422 

Deputies   170,  184,  197,  325 

CAREY, 

John   27,  197,  203,  235,  326,  341,  443,  534 

CARHART, 

Samuel   463 

CARLE, 

John   13 

CASNER, 

George   478 

CAYFORD. 

Kichard   335 

Challenge — 


586 


Page. 

CHALLENGE- 

Lorcl  Stirling   59 

CHAMBERS, 

Alexander   344,  508 

David   465,  5'i9 

Kowland   1G2,  480 

CHIEF  JUSTICE- 

Frederick  Smyth  56,  57,  58,  59,  60,  62,  321 

CHETWOOD, 

John   8,  35,  36,  108,  169.  183 

CHETWYND, 

G   135,  136 

CLARK, 

Abraham....  36,  169,  197.  203.  254,  325,  327,  405,  444,  445,  473,  498 

Elijah   170,  184,  197,  325,  446 

Samuel  293 

Thomas   197,  325,  398 

CLARKSON, 

John   329 

CLAWSON. 

John   36 

CLUNN, 

Joseph   464,  482 

COACHEY, 

Thomas   356 

COAXES, 

John   52 

COLLINS, 

Isaac   81,  196,  254,  305 

COMBS, 

John   63,117,  282,  287,  445 

John,  Jun   17 

Jonathan   43 

COMFORT, 

John   293 

COMMISSARY  AND  PAYMASTER- 

Eastern  Division   439 

Western  Division   439 

COMMISSIONERS— 

Eastern  Divi.iion     417 

Western  Division   417 

Pay  bounty   550 

COMMISSIONS— 

Delegates  to  the  Continental  Congress   30 

Officers  Minute  Men   212 

Officers  Bergen  County   215 

COMMITTEES— 

Safety   25,  194,  254,  327 

To  convene  Congress   183 

Bergen  County   115,  164 

Hackensack   98,  207 

Committees — 


587 


Page. 

COMMITTEES- 

Burlington  County   51,  155 

Cumberland  County     94,  165 

Essex  County   34,  36 

Elizabetiitown   157,  159,  160 

Newark   37,  101,  113,  149 

Hunterdon  County   49 

Middlesex  County   42 

Woodbridge..   45,  54,  107 

New  Brunswick   161 

Morris  County     47 

Hanover   52 

Mendhain   158 

Monmouth  County   96 

Freehold   95,  99,  100 

Somerset  County   114 

Sussex  County   168 

New  York   161,  164,  167,  200 

Grievances   67 

Correspondence   1,  28,  29,  34 

Consent  to  be  obtained  to  raise  companies   192 

CX>NDICT, 

John   483 

CONDIT, 

Silas   104,  105,  169,  184,  197,  325,  445 

CONDUIT, 

David   357 

CXJNGRESS- 

Of  New  Jersey   169,  197 

Correspondence  with  Continental  Congress   208,  213,  236,  447 

Corre  pondence  with  Congress  of  New  York   154 

Resolutions   447 

CONSTITUTION- 

Adopted  July  2,  1776   553 

CONVENTION  OF  NEW  JERSEY— 

Style  and  title  adopted   511 

CONWAY, 

John   42,  45,  46,  55 

COOK, 

Ellis   48,  104,  105,  169,  184,  197,  325,  338,  444,  445,  565 

COOK, 

John   523 

COOL, 

Philip   487,  527 

COOPER, 

John   170,  197,  253,  325,  446 

CORRESPONDENCE— 

Committee  of     1,  108 

Governour  Franklin  with  Earl  of  Dartmouth   2 

With  Committee  of  Boston   28,  29 

Somerset  County   114,  162 

With  the  enemy  to  be  prevented   500 

Cortland, 


588 


CORTLAND, 

Philip  V   13 

CORTLANDT, 

Philip   357 

CORSHOISr, 

Joshua   374 

CORWINE, 

Samuel   50 

COTTNAM, 

George   397 

COUNCIL- 

Of  New  Jersey   56,  321 

COVENHOVEN, 

John   5,  23,  96,  169,  184,  197,  325,  445,  483 

COWEL, 

Ebenezer,  Jun   513 

COXE, 

Daniel   56,  57,  58.  59,  61,  62,  313,  321 

cox. 

,    John    52 

Richard,  Jun   356 

CRANE, 

Stephen   1,  8,  25,  27,  30,  35,  36,  63,  70,  117,  282,  445,  490 

CRIPS, 

Whitten   446 

CRIPPS. 

Whitton   467,  565 

CROW, 

David     329 

CRUGER, 

John   118 

CUMBERLAND  COUNTY— 

(Joraniittee   94,  165 

Assessment   422 

Deputies   170,  184,  197,  326 

CUMMINS, 

William    493 

CUNDICT, 

Daniel   38 

David    38 

CUTTER, 

William   42,  45,  55 

CUYLER, 

Henry   508 

CYPHERS, 

George,  Jun   478 

Peter   478,  530 

DARTMOUTH, 

Earl  of — Letter  from  Governour  Franklin  to   2,  8 

DAVENPORT, 

Josiah  Franklin   482,  575 

Davis, 


589 


XJii.  V  xo, 

Solomon   38 

DAVISON, 

Andrew   43 

DAY 

John   478 

t^tephen   52 

DAYTON, 

Klias   36,  234,  354,  383 

Jonathan   36 

Joseph   398 

DEARE, 

Jonathan   81,  103,  169,  184,  345,  348,  520,  569,  576 

DE  BERDT, 

Dennis   295 

DEBOW, 

Isaac   314 

DE  COW, 

Isaac   492 

DEGRAW, 

Walter   110 

DE  GROOT, 

David    523 

DE  HART, 

Balthazar   527 

DEHART, 

Cyrus   359 

DE  HART, 

John   6,  8,  27,  30,  35,  36,  70,  367,  452 

William   13,  104,  105,  106,  169,  184,  197,  245,  286,  325 

DELATDSH, 

Henry   488 

DELEGATES- 

Keportof.   69,  171 

Acqiiackanonk   110 

Resolution  of  thanks   71 

From  Colony  of  New  Jersey  in  the  Continental  Congress...70, 367,  473 

DEMAREST, 

John   63,  115,  116,  117,  164,  169,  183,  197,  282,  325,  445,  522 

DEMPSTER, 

John  H     400 

DENICE, 

Denice   518 

DENNIS, 

John..   17,  27.  42,  44,  161,  197,  253 


254,  325,  327,  344,  355,  396,  398,  443,  444,  492,  497,  544,  573 

DEPUTIES- 

Attending  Provincial  Congress...  169, 170, 183, 184, 197, 325, 326,445 


DEY, 

Richard   484,  551 

Theunis   10,  63,  115,  116,  117,  282,  394,  569 

Dick, 


590 


Page. 

DICK, 

Samuel   170,  357,  446,  467 

DrCKERSON, 

Peter   48,  104, 105,  151,  169 

Philemon   192 

DICKINSON. 

Jonathan   367^ 

Peter   356 

Philemon    192,  221,  254,  445,  577 

DILTS, 

Christopher   478,  527 

DOUGHTY, 

John   338 

DOWDNEY. 

Nathaniel   335 

DRAKE, 

Jacob   48,  104,  105,  169,  184,  197,  325,  394,  445,  569 

DRUMMOND. 

Robert  ,   110,  169,  183,  197,  325,  444,  445,  574 

DU  CLOS, 

Francis   360 

DUMONT, 

Edward   169,  184 

DUNHAM, 

Azariah   42,  43,  117,  169,  183,  194,  197,  234 

254,  282,  287,  325,  327,  338,  362,  404,  444,  450,  480,  508,  530 

Lewis   368 

Stephen   356 

DUNLAP, 

E   19 

DUNN. 

John   42,  43,  169,  184,  362,  445,  520,  530,  575 

Jeremiah   493 

Micajah   42,  520 

DUYCHINCK, 

John   530,  532,  537,  565,  569 

EARLE, 

John   38 

EARL- 

Of  Dartmouth   2,  130 

Of  Stirlinjj;   See  Alexander 

EASTERN  TREASURY- 

Books  and  Securities  removed  to  place  less  exposed  to  danger...  346 

EDWARDS, 

Pierpont   175 

ELDRIDGE, 

Eli   63,  117,  282,463 

ELIZABETHTOWN, 

Committee   157,  159,  160,401 

Resolutions   41,  50 

Ellis, 


591 


Joseph   184,  197,  234,  325,  446,  569,  573 

William   512,  565 

ELLISON, 

Robert   333,  334 

ELMER. 

Ebenezer   356 

Jonathan   170,  184,  197 

Theophilus   117,  282,  326,  446 

EMLEY, 

John   14 

ENLISTMENT- 

Forms   106,  233 

ESSEX  COUJSTY— 

Resolutions   6 

Assessment   421 

Grand  Jury   31 

Freeholders   34 

Committee  Correspondence   36 

Deputies                                                         169,  183,  197,  325 

EVANS, 

John   62 

Reuben   42,  45 

EWEN, 

David   485 

EWING, 

Thomas   94,  95,  170,  184,  466,  496 

EXPENSE— 

Estimate  for  defence  of  Colony   228 

express- 
To  and  from  Committee  of  Safety   327 

extract- 

Letter  Governour  Franklin  to  Earl  of  Dartmouth   130 

Proceedings  of  Committee  of  Safety   175 

Provincial  Congress  to  New  York  Congress   167 

eyre, 

Hosea  ;   293 

eyres, 

Jonathan   326 

Nathaniel   184 

FAIRHOLM, 

Johnston   497,  504 

FANKER, 

Philip,   487 

FARMER, 

Peter   42 

FARRAND, 

Moses   38 

FELL, 

John   115,  116,  161,  165,  169,  183 

FENIMORE, 

Thomas   52 

Field, 


592 


Jeremiah   42 

Michael   17 

Robert   31 

fines- 
How  Collected   546 

FISHER, 

Hendrick   1,  31,  63,  108,  109,  114,  117 

102,  167,  169,  170,  184,  194,  197,  198,  254  282,  325,  327,  508 

FITCH, 

John   464 

FITHIAN, 

Philip  Vickers   479 

Samuel   170,  184 

FITSWORTH, 

Jacob   42,  43 

FITZ  RANDOLPH, 

Nathaniel   535 

FLANAGAN, 

Samuel   356 

FOED, 

Jacob   11,  12,  31,  48,  63,  104,  117,  282,  338,  340,  377,  569 

FORCE. 

Samuel   42,  45,  55 

FORKER, 

Philip     478 

FOEMAN, 

David   96,  332,  356,  521,  551 

Ezekiel   486,  545 

John   5,  96 

Jonathan   463 

Peter   5,  96 

Samuel   232,  489,  575 

FOSTER. 

Ebenezer   42,  43,  45,  46,  514,  532 

Josiah.   52 

FRANKLIN, 

Benjamin    118 

William  (Governour)   2 

8,  64,  67,  76,  77,  80,  102,  119,  130,  137,  143,  144,  147 
283,  285,  291,  302,  304,  454,  455,  456,  461,  470,  475,  489,  573 

FREEHOLD- 

Monmouth  County   4,  95,  99,  100,  111,  470 

FREEMAN, 

Henry   42,  45 

Matthew   329 

Melancthon   42,  469 

FRELINGHUYSEN, 

Frederick  .».   114 

115,  169,  170,  175,  184,  194,  359,  370,  371,  398,  445,  574,  577 

FRENCH, 


Fritz, 


593 


Page. 

FKITZ, 

Frederick   465,  478,  487,  527 

GAMBLE, 

William   500 

GARBA  BRANT, 

Garrabrant   38 

GARBISH, 

John   493 

GARRITSE, 

Henrr   8,  35,  63,  110,  117,  169,  183,  282 

Jacob   110 

GASKILL, 

Mahlon   293 

GASTON, 

John   162 

GAULIDET, 

Edgar   356 

GENERAL  ASSEMBLY- 

Prorogued   62,  148,  320 

Met   63,  117 

GIBBON, 

Grant   27,  63,  117,  282,  326 

GIFFORD, 

William    356 

OILMAN, 

John    42 

GLOUCESTER  COUNTY- 

Assessment   422 

Deputies   170,  184,  197,  325 

Petitions   481 

GODWIN, 

Abraham   110 

GOETSCHITJS, 

John  Mauritius   484,  565 

GOLDTRAP, 

John   336 

GORDON, 

Joshua   494 

Peter   521 

GRAY. 

James   208,  219 

GREAMES, 

James..   487 

GREEN, 

Jacob   445 

GRIEVANCES   67,  88 

GRIFFIN, 

^olonel   539 

Griggsj 

39 


594 


GRIGGS, 

Joachim   •  14 

GROENDYCK, 

Samuel    501 

GROVER, 

James   23 

Joseph   477 

GUILD, 

Ralph   356,  374 

GUISEBERTSON, 

Giiisebert   477,  531 

William   539 

HACKENSACK- 

Bergen  County   98,  207 

HAGAN, 

John   356 

HAIGHT, 

Joseph   489,  573,  575 

HALL, 

Edward   467 

HALSEY, 

Benjamin   550 

Daniel   36 

HALSTEAD, 

Matthias   328 

HAME, 

George   42 

HAMMELL, 

John   519 

HAMPTON, 

Jonathan   36,  41,  158,  159,  160 

HANCOCK, 

John  209,  210,  223,  237,  281,  370,  447,  449,  462,  495,  511,  521 

HAND, 

Elijah   512 

Jesse   170, 197,  326,  446 

Jonathan   63,  117,  282 

HANKINSON, 

Captain   531 

HANOVER- 

Morris  County..   52 

HARDENBERGH, 

Jacob  li   445 

HARING, 

John   167 

HARRIS, 

Ephraim   446 

Thomas   166 

HARRISON,  * 

Charles   224,496 

Christopher   348,  350 

Harrison, 


595 


Page. 

HARRISON, 

Ichabod   38 

HART, 

John         14,  49,  50,  170,  184,  194,  197,  254,  325,  329,  445,  458,  473 

Ralph   170,  184 

William    48 

HARTIPEE, 

William    537 

HATFIELD, 

Abner   135 

HATHORN, 

Hugh   446 

HAY, 

William    577 

HAYS, 

Samuel   356 

HAYWOOD, 

Eaton   543 

HAZLET, 

Kobert   202 

Samuel   356 

HEARD, 

J  ohn   42,  45,  398 

Nathaniel   42,  45,  169,  184,  362,  457,  461,  475,  483,  551,  574 

HERRON. 

James   43 

HEDDEN, 

Joseph,  Junr   38,  567 

HENDERSON, 

Thomas   96,  332,  370,  551 

HENDRICKS, 

Conrad  ,   514,  574 

HENDRICKSON, 

Daniel   169,  175,  184,  497,  516,  569 

HENNION, 

Cornelius   356 

HENRY, 

Samuel   498,  508,  511,  515 

HERRIMAN, 

William   36 

HETFIELD, 

Caleb   534 

Cornelius   36 

HEWLINGS, 

Abraham    52 

Thomas  Polgreen   G3,  117,  282 

HICK, 

William   497 

HICKS, 

John   498,  503,  505 

Hillman, 


596 


Page. 

HILLMAN, 

Joi-iah   565 

HINCHMAN, 

John   1,  63,  117,  282 

HOLME, 

Benjamin   63,  117,  197,  282,  326,  459 

John   197,  326,  446,  569 

HOLMES, 

Asher   5,  96,  550 

Benjamin    184 

Janies    253 

John   169,  184 

Jonathan   499 

Joseph   23,  197,  254,  325,  331,  445 

Josiah   23,  445 

HOOPS, 

Robert   530,  551 

HOPKIXSON, 

Francis   56,  57,  58,  321,  473 

HORPEXCE, 

John   478,  487,  501 

nORTON, 

Jonathan   394,  485 

HORTWICK, 

John    521 

HOtTGH, 

Jonathan   52 

HOUSEMAN, 

Jacob   543 

HOUSTON, 

William  Churchill   395,  541 

HOW. 

Samuel   197,  325 

HOWE, 

General,  at  Sandy  Hook   484 

HOWELL, 

Benjamin   53 

Ebenezer   473 

Ellet   482,  574 

Silas   106 

HUGO, 

Joseph   184,  446,  573 

Samuel   398 

HUGHES, 

Ch.  Ph   293 

Elijah   184,  199,  326,  446 

Hugh   18,  19,  184 

James   382 

Memucan  ,   494 

HUNLOKE. 

Thomas   293 

Hunt, 


597 


Page. 

HUNT, 

Abraham   14,  27,  108,  344,  508 

Daniel   50,  170,  184,  478 

Jacob   487 

John   460,  478 

Jonathan    478,  487 

Nathaniel   375 

Stephen   162,  346,  475,  496,  502,  523,  551,  569 

William,  Jun   478 

HUNTER, 

Andrew   481 

HUNTERDON  COUNTY, 

Assessment   421 

Committee   49 

Deputies                                                         170,  184,  197,  326 

Disaffected  arrested   478 

Militia                                                                       205,  219 

Petitions   495 

Resolutions   13 

HUNTINGTON, 

John   106 

HUTTON, 

Thomas   525,  545,  578 

HYER, 

Jacob   537 

IMLAY, 

John   155 

William  E   205,  219,  356 

INSTRUCTIONS- 

From  the  General  Committee  of  Associators.of  Newark  to  Del- 
egates in  Provincial  Congress  149-152 

From  House  of  Assembly  to  Delegates  in  Continental  Congress  153 
From  Provincial  Congress  to  Delegates  in  Continental  Congress  473 

IVINS, 

Moses   465,  475,  477,  483,  486,  545 

JACKSON, 

Charles   42,  45 

JAMES, 

James    170 

JARAUMAN, 

Jacobus   394 

John   394 

JENNINGS, 

Jacob   170,  533 

JOHNES, 

Daniel   534 

JOHNSON, 

John   17 

Philip   551 

Robert   31,  170 

Samuel   50 

Johnston, 


598 


Page. 

JOHNSTON, 

Philip   529 

Robert   38,  101 

Uzal   375 

JONES, 

Thomas   50,  170,  184,  538 

Timothy   375 

JOUET, 

Chevalier   526 

JOURNAL— 

Of  Provincial  Congress   169,  197,  325,  445 

KEARNEY, 

Michael   497,  504 

Philip   497,  504 

KEASBY, 

Edward   197,  326 

KELSEY, 

Enos   114,  169,  184,  194,  196,  565 

William    575 

KEMBLE, 

Peter   55,  59,  60 

KEMPER, 

Jacob   359 

KENNEDY, 

Captain     497,  505 

KERLIX, 

John   488 

KIEN, 

James   53 

KING, 

Joseph   494 

KINGSBOROUGH— 

Residents  may  join  Company  at  Trenton   220 

KINNEY, 

Thomas   489,  508,  574,  577 

KINSEY. 

James   1,  27,  30,  63,  70,  117,  208,  282,  286 

KITCUELL, 

Aaron   52 

Abraham   104,  105 

KUYPER, 

Hendrick   169,  183 

LANE, 

Derrick   493 

LANGSTAFF, 

John   42 

LANNING, 

Ralph   460 

LAWRENCE, 

Elisha   Ill,  232 

John   23,  56,  57,  58,  111,  321,  495,  497,  498,  504,  510 

Lawrence, 


599 


Page. 

LA  WHENCE, 

Richard   63, 117,  282 

LAYD, 

John   42 

LEAMING, 

Thomas,  Jun   446,  463 

LEE, 

Arthur  *.   118,  286 

Joseph   478,  487,  527 

Thomas   293 

LEEK, 

John   52 

LEFERTY, 

John   162,  163 

LEFFERTY, 

Bryan   518 

LEONARD, 

John   486,  545 

Nathaniel   356 

Thomas   100 

LESLIE, 

James   110 

LETTERS— 

Committee  of  Correspondence   4,  28,  29 

Committee  of  Safety   164,  200,  211,  402 

Continenl.al  Congress   215,  222,  351,  360,  369,  386 

Delegates  in  Congress   405 

Governour  Franklin  to  Earl  of  Dartmouth   8 

Commanding  officers  to  use  dispatch  in  procuring  arms  and 
sending  them  to  Trenton   342 

LEWIS, 

William    52 

LINDSLEY, 

Eleazer   338 

LINN, 

James   346,  445 

LIVINGSTON, 

William...  8,  27,  30,  35,  36,  70,  208,  246,  367,  370,  468,  475,  497,  577 

LLOYD. 

Ephraim   184,534 

John   169,  184 

Richard   356 

LONGSTREET, 

Aaron    395 

LONGWORTH, 

Isaac   113 

LORD- 

Stirling   See  Alexander 

LOTT, 

Richard   541 


Loveland,, 


600 


LOVELAND, 

Charles   474 

LOW, 

Isaac   544 

Peter   493 

liOWREY, 

Thomas   170,  184,  237,  465 

LOZIER, 

John   534 

LUDLOW, 

Cornelius   338,  551 

Richard   110,  550 

LYLE, 

John,  Jun   42 

LYON, 

Abraham   38 

Joseph   38 

MacCORD, 

James    478 

Maclean, 

Hugh   493,577 

MAITLAND, 

Captain   452,  460 

ILANNING, 

Benjamin   42 

James   42,  45,  329 

Jeremiah   42,  45,  46,  55 

William   42. 

MARSH, 

Christopher   36 

Ephraira   36 

Ralph   329 

MARTIN, 

Ephraim   169,  197,  325,  334,  394,  445,  494,  551,  569 

Jacob   42 

MASKELL, 

Daniel   199 

MATHEWS, 

John   232 

MATHIS. 

Eli   52 

MAXWELL, 

William  19,  169,  184,  197,  245.  325,  338,  341,  380 

MCCLENEY, 

Andrew   363,  364 

MCCOLLOM. 

Jacob   168 

McDANIEL, 

William,  Jun   356 

McKINNEY, 

A  braham   364 

McLeod, 


GOl 


Page. 

Mcleod 

William   158 

McMICHAEL, 

Edward   3o6 

McMUETBIE, 

George   lt>8 

MEAD, 

Yelles   328,  336 

MECUM, 

William    467 

MEDDAGH, 

Derrick   346 

MEEKER, 

Joseph   328,  336,  383 

MEETINGS- 

A(iuackanonk   110 

Essex  County   6 

Hackensack   98 

Delegates  of  Morris  County   47,  104 

Perth  Amboy   103 

Freeholders  Somerset  County   162 

MEHELM, 

John..  1,  14,  50,  63, 117, 170, 184, 197, 198.  234, 254, 282,  325, 445, 569 

MEMORIAL— 

County  Committee,'  Monmouth   372 

MENDHAM— 

Morris  County,  Committee   158 

MERCER, 

General   524,  535,  539 

MERSELIUS, 

Edo   169,  183 

MERSHON, 

Henry   460 

MERSURAL. 

Jacob   329 

MESSAGE— 

Governour  Franklin  to  Assembly        64,  72,  119,  137,  144,  290,  319 

House  of  Assemb'y  to  Governour   133 

His  Majesty,  allowing  and  disallowing  Acts  of  Assembly...  135,  137 
House  of  Assembly  to  Congress   173 

MIDDLESEX  COUNTY— 

Assessment     421 

Deputies   169,  184,  197,  325 

Kesolutions     15,  42 

Petitions   451 

MIDDLETON, 

Jonathan   52 

MIDDLETOWN— 

Township   470 

MILITIA— 

Kegulating  and  organizing   190,  238,  257 

Militia— 


602 


Page. 

MILITIA- 

To  march  to  defence  of  New  York  when  called  upon  by  Com- 
mander-in-Chief   463 

MILLER, 

David   36 

MILLHAM, 

Herman   478 

MINER, 

Samuel   42 

MINUTE  MEN— 

Number  from  each  County   190 

Muster  rolls  examined   201 

MONMOUTH  COUNTY- 

Assessraent   421 

Committee  of  Observation   96 

Disaffected   477,  489 

Deputies   169,  184,  197,  206,  325 

Petitions   482,  491 

Resolutions   19 

Remove  stock  on  Coast  to  place  of  safety   516 

MONKOW. 

John    293 

MONTGOMERY, 

Robert   169,  184 

MOOR, 

Thomas   98 

MOORE, 

Ely   460 

MOORES. 

Daniel   42,  45 

John   15,  17,  31 

MORRIS, 

Joseph   106 

MORRIS  COUNTY- 

Assessment   421 

Deputies   169,  184,  197,  325 

Meetings   47,  104 

Petitions   468 

Resolutions   11 

MOTT, 

James   232,  445,  463 

MOUNT, 

James   518 

MULLEN, 

Joseph   293 

MUNSON, 

John   551 

Stephen   53 

MURDOCK, 

James   59,  60,  86 

Murray, 


603 


Page. 

MURRAY. 

John   175 

Robert   175 

MUSTER-MASTERS   234 

NEIFIES, 

Jacob   522 

NEIL, 

Daniel   398 

Robert,  Junr   38 

NEILSON. 

James   27,  43,  329 

John   361,  530,  569 

NEWARK— 

Committee   37,  101,  113,  149,382 

Town  Meeting   112 

Thomas   398 

NEWBOLD, 

Joseph   197,  325 

William    52 

NEW  BRUNSWICK- 

Committee  of  Observation  and  Inspection   42,  161,  521 

Provincial  Congress  at   339 

NEWCOMB, 

Silas    94,  95,  473,  496.  539,  551,  569 

NEWTON, 

Samuel   52 

NEW  YORK- 

General  Committee   157,  159 

Committee  of  Safety   161,  164,  167 

Congress   160 

NIEL, 

Daniel   110 

NOBLE, 

Isaac   115,  116 

NOE, 

John   42,  45,  55 

NORCROSS, 

William   184,  359 

NORTON, 

William    293 

NOTTINGHAM  TOWNSHIP- 

Petition   73 

OAK, 

William   27,  43 

OATH— 

Of  Allegiance   502 

ODELL, 

Jonathan   211,  219,  516,  528 

OFFICERS— 

Not  to  hold  more  than  one  commission   202 

Officers — 


604 


Page. 

OFFICERS- 

Pay  of   210 

Second  Batlalion  Gloucester  Militia  objecied  to   201 

Third  Battalion  elected   356 

Of  five  battalions  to  reinforce  army  at  New  York   551 

OGDEN, 

Abraham   13,  48,  345 

David   56,  57,  78,  302 

Gabriel   115,  116,  162 

Isaac   6,  8,  35,  108,  113,  149,  169,  183 

Lewis   108,  113,  149,  152,  197,  254.  325,  405,  445,  490,  497 

Eobert,  Jun   36 

Samuel   13 

OKESON, 

Thomas   474,  479,  501,  510 

ORDINANCE— 

Amending  Militia  act   407 

Appointing  Barrack  Masters   410 

Compelling  payment  of  10,000  Pounds  tax   224 

Detaching  2,000  of  the  Militia  to  form  flying  camp   563 

Directing  manner  of  signing  the  General  Association  by  per- 
sons of  tender  consciences,  &c   407 

Directing  issue  of  30,000  Pounds  in  bills  of  credit   246 

Directing  issue  fifty  thousand  Pounds  five  Shillings  in  bills  of 

credit,  and  sinking  the  same   413 

Directing  the  mode  and  fixing  time  for  election  of  Deputies   429 

Detaching  one-half  of  the  Militia  for  immediate  service   568 

Exempting  persons  who  enlist  in  the  service  of  the  United 

(Colonies    411 

For  raising  3,300  Militia  to  reinforce  Army  at  New  York   548 

For  keeping  open  communication  between  New  York  and  New 
Jersey  by  way  of  ferries  over  Passaick  and  Hackensack 

Rivers   566 

For  raising  two  Artillery  Companies   437 

For  raising  Money   181 

For  paying  bounty  on  Saltpetre  and  common  Salt   440 

For  punishment  of  Treason  and  Counterfeiting   561 

Incorporating  the  Minute  Men  lately  raised  in  the  Colony  into 

the  body  of  Militia   436 

Numbering  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Colony   435 

To  prevent  persons  deserting  places  in  danger  of  being  at- 
tacked  428 

To  provide  payment  of  incidental  charges   442,  573 

To  regulate  the  Militia   238,  257 

OTTO, 

Bodo,  Jun   519 

PAIN, 

John   42,  45 

PANCOAST, 

Joseph   488 

PANGBURN, 

Stephen   42,  43 

Panton, 


605 


Page. 

PANTON, 

Rev   254 

PARKER, 

Jacob   293 

James   56,  57,  58,  103,  323 

Samuel  Franklin   499 

PAROLE- 

Governour  Franklin  refuses  to  sign   461 

Accepted  from  sundry  persons   504 

PARSONS, 

William   36 

PATERSON, 

Edward   356 

Robert   496 

Tliomas  ,   356 

William   114,  169,  170.  175,  184,  341,  354,  359,  445,  446 

PAXSON, 

Henry   63,  117,  252 

Thomas   293 

PAY- 

Officers  and  Men   106,  210 

PEARSON, 

Isaac   52,  108,  170,  184,  194,  197,  254,  325 

PECK, 

Constant   385 

John   38 

PECKE, 

William    17 

PEER, 

John   110 

PENDLETON, 

Edmund   451 

PENN, 

Richard   286 

PENNINGTON, 

Samuel   38 

PENSON, 

Aaron.:   574 

PENTON, 

Abner   543 

PERKINS, 

Jacob   52 

PERTH  AMBOY- 

Meeting  of  Inhabitants   103 

PETERSE, 

Peter   110 

PETITIONS- 

Comniittee  of  Correspondence  and  Observation  of  the  County  of 

Bergen   388 

Committee  of  Newark   372 

Petitions — 


606 


PETITIONS-  _ 

Inhabitants  Gloucester  Couniy   203 

Morris  County   204 

Sussex  County   203 

Somerset  County   372 

City  of  New  Brunswick   372 

Township  Alexandria  anH  Kingwood,  Hunterdon 
County,  Greenwick  and  Mansfield-Woodhouse, 

in  Sussex  County   207 

Of  Nottingham   73 

Chesterfield  Township,  in  Burlington  County,  to 

free  slaves   287 

Freeholders  of  Burlington  County  for  the  House  of  Assem- 
bly to  pass  Resolves  that  may  discourage  an  Independ- 
ency  292,  296,  297,  298 

From  the  House  of  Assembly  to  the  King  for  the  redress  of  cer- 
tain Grievances   88 

PETTIT, 

Charles   64,  74,  81,  102,  119,  138,  148,  283,  305,  319,  355,  484 

Nathaniel   19,  63,  117,  282,  333,  334 

PHARO' 

William   52 

PHILLIPS, 

John   465 

Joseph   529,  551 

PIERSON, 

Bethuel   38,  113,  149,  169,  183 

Daniel   356 

Matthias   38 

PINKERTON, 

David   459,  508 

PISCATAWAY  TOWNSHIP— 

Committee  of  Observation  and  Inspection   42 

POPE, 

John   170,  184,  197,  254,  325,  327,  444 

POSEE, 

John   338 

POST, 

Francis   110 

Henry,  Jun   110 

Jacobus   197,  236,  325,  345,  445,  522 

Thomas   110 

POTTER, 

David    569 

Joseph   42 

Reuben   42,  45,  47,  530 

Samuel   36,  197,  325,  356 

POTTS, 

Thomas   197,  325,  445 

William    52 

POULESSE, 

Jacobus   394 

Powell 


C07 


Page. 

POWELL, 

John   293 

PRICE. 

Robert  Friend   1,  81,  G3,  117,  282,  287 

PRINCETON- 

Connuittee  of  Safety  met  at   195,  196,  327 

PRISONEKS- 

Officers  and  Soldiers  sent  to  York,  Pennsylvania   494 

PROCEEDINGS- 

(Jommittee  of  Safety   195,  327 

In  reference  to  the  challenge  sent  to  a  member  of  the  House  by 

James  Murdock   86 

Provincial  Congress   339 

PEOCLAMATION- 

Goveniour  Franklin  appointing  meeting  of  General  Assembly..  102 

PROCLAMATION  MONEY- 

Proportion  of  each  County  and  manner  of  Collection...  181,  182,  183 

PROVINCIAL  CONGRESS-   169,  184,  197,  339,  445 

Resolution  to  support  the  freedom  and  independency  of  the  State  oil 
Letter  to  Continental  Congress  relative  to  the  removal  of  Gov- 

ernour  Franklin  to  some  other  Colony   462 

Style  and  title  changed  to  convention  of  the  State  of  New  Jersey  511 

PYATT, 

Jacob   537 

QUACKENBUSH, 

Jacob   445 

QUICK, 

Abraham   395,  569 

QUIGLEY. 

Robert   474 

QUIMBY, 

Josiah   356 

RANDOLPH, 

James  '   42,  45 

RANGE, 

John   38 

RAY, 

David   245 

John   117 

READ, 

Charles   52,  446,  476,  489,  519,  565,  569,  573,  575,  576 

Joseph   62,  170 

Thomas   368 

READING, 

ihomas   356,  359 

REED. 

Bowes   470,  573,  575 

Joseph   483,  551 

REPRESENTATIVES- 

In  House  of  Assembly   63,  117,  282 

Address  to  the  Governour   74 

Resolutions, 


608 


KESOLUTIONS- 

Accep^ing  resignation  of  James  Kinsey  and  John  De  Hart   289 

Continental  Congress  countermanding  marcli  of  Battalion   388 

Provincial  Congress   184,  393 

House  of  Assembly  to  appoint  Committee  to  bring  in  bill 

support  of  Government   288 

To  raise  a  third  battalion  for  the  service  and  at  the  expense  of 

the  United  Colonies   352 

House  of  Assembly  respecting  deserters   217 

To  repair  barracks   294 

To  remove  records  from  Perth  Amboy   346,  349 

To  devise  means  of  defence   366 

REYNOLDS, 

/     John   469,  490 

Thomas   52,  446 

RHEA, 

Robert   575 

EIBBLE, 

George   380 

RICE, 

Matthew   42 

RICHARDS. 

John   498,  505 

RICHB, 

George   469,  490 

RICHMOND, 

James   392 

RIGGS, 

Joseph   8,  35,  108 

RINGO, 

John   13,  49 

RITTENHOUSE, 

William    465 

RIVINGTON, 

James   40,  41,  47,  49,  53,  97 

ROACH, 

Nicholas   375 

ROBERTS, 

Charles   371 

ROBINS, 

Bichard   465,  475,  477,  483,  486,  545,  573,  675.  576 

ROBINSON, 

Joseph   577 

EOCHE, 

Nicholas   110,  574 

ROEFF, 

Jonathan   42 

ROGERS, 

Isaac   43 


Eoss, 


609 


Page. 


George   36,  51,  328,  336 

John   42,  45,  46,  55,  356,  459,  508 

ROY, 

John   63,  114,  169,  282 

RULES, 

Government  of  Troops  of  the  United  Colonies   264,  278 

RUN  YON, 

Rune   17 

RYDER, 

Stephen   110 

SALEM  COUNTY- 

Assessinent   422 

Deputies   170,  184,  197,  326 

Election   536 

SALTAR. 

Joseph   169,  223 

SASDFORD, 

Peter   394 

SANFORD, 

Elijah   394 

SAVAGE, 

Joseph   446 

SAYRE, 

Jonathan   38 

SCHENCK, 

Jacob   43 

John   537 

Lucas   184 

Luke   42 

Peter   114,  169,  184,  194,  349,  390,  399 

SCHUREMAN, 

Ferdinand   42 

J    42 

SCHURMAN. 

James   329 

John   169,  184,  194,  314,  355,  576 

SCHUYLER, 

Aarent  J  ,   115 

Abraham   42 

SCOGGIN, 

Jacob   170,  184,  331 

SCOTT, 

John  B   19,  184,  233 

Moses   369,  443,  577 

SCUDDER, 

Captain   537 

Nathaniel   5,  23,  96,  99,  100,  332,  356 

William   537 


Seal, 

40 


610 


Page. 

SEAL, 

John,  Jun   478 

SECRETARY'S  OFFICE- 

Records  to  be  moved   346,  349 

SEELY, 

Josiah   356,  385 

SENDER, 

William    42 

SERGEANT, 

Jonathan   169,  184 

Jonathan  D..  27, 103, 114, 169, 170, 175, 184, 192, 194,  210, 252, 367,  445 
Samuel    345 

SHARP, 

Anthony   356 

SHAVER, 

Casper   445 

SHAW, 

Captain   212 

SHELTON, 

Thomas   15 

SHEPHERD, 

Samuel   356 

SHEPPATtD, 

John   63,  117,  282 

SHERRERD, 

John    530 

SHIELDS, 

Daniel   293 

SHINN. 

Aquila   293 

Josepii   446 

Thomas   293 

SHIP- 

Blue  Mountain  Valley  seized  by  Lord  Stirling   400 

SHIRAS. 

Peter   52 

SHOTWELL, 

Joseph  and  Sons   46 

Samuel   36 

SHREVE, 

Caleb   446 

Israel   248 

SHREWSBURY  TOWNSHIP— 

Petition  against  changing  form  of  government  of  the  Province..  470 

SHUTE, 

Henry   380 

SINNICKS, 

Thomas   27 

SI.SNICKSON, 

Andrew   170,  446 

Thomas   550 

Skinner, 


611 


Page. 

SKINNER, 

Cortland   63,  79,  117,  118,  142,  282,  303,  310,  348,  403 

Stephen   59,  61,  62,  83,  84,  103,  321,  497,  505 

Thomas   497,  504,  529,  533 

William   348 

SLATER, 

Samuel   478 

SLIGHT, 

John   42 

SM  ALLEY, 

David   493 

SMITH, 

Aaron   293 

Ezekiel   43 

Isaac   14,  27,  205,  460,  464,  482,  492,  511,  569 

Jasper   50,  170,  184 

Jeremiah   36,  383 

John   79,  131,  340 

Joseph   137,  138,  304 

Richard   27,  30,  70,  134,  153,  300,  305,  318,  329,  337,  367,  450 

Samuel   79,137 

William   17,  42,  43,  45,  46,  52,  55,  169,  184,  514 

William  Peartree   8,  29,  31,  35,  36,  169,  173,  175 

SMOCK, 

Hen  d  rick   5,  96 

SMYTH, 

Frederick  (Chief  Justice)   31 

John  ;..  85,  304,  389,  390,  398,  499,  526 

SOMERS, 

Richard   197,  325,  569 

SOMERSET  COUNTY- 

Assessment   421 

Committee  of  Correspondence   114.  162 

Deputies   169,  184,  197,  325 

Petitions  ;   452 

SOUTH  AMBOY- 

Committee  of  Observation  and  Instruction   42 

SOUTH  BRUNSWICK— 

Committee  of  Observation  and  Instruction   42 

SPARKS, 

John   170,  184,  446 

SPEAKER 

Of  House  of  Assembly  (Cortland  Skinner)  dissenting  from  the 

Address  to  the  Governour   92,  138 

SPEAR, 

John   38 

SPENCER, 

Elihu   198,  254 

SPIER, 

Oliver   36,  383 

SPROWLE, 

Andrew   460 

Stanbury, 


612 

1 

ST  ANBURY. 

Recompence  ,   36 

STANSBURY, 

Joseph   515 

STEEL, 

William   348,  351,  354,  501 

STEELE, 

Mrs.  Eachel   574 

STERLING, 

James   52 

STEVENS, 

John   56,  57,  58,  59,  60,  62,  322,  390,  398,  505,  526 

John,  Jun   170,  184 

Richard   50,  170,  184 

STEVENSON, 

Augustine   197,  244,  325,  327 

STEWART, 

Archibald   19,  31,  169 

Charles   170,  184,  197,  203,  325,  370 

STILES. 

Jonathan   13,  48,  104,  105,  169,  184 

STILLWELL. 

Joseph   479 

STITES, 

John   169 

Richard   357,  493,  520 

STIRLING  See  Alexander 

Earl  and  Lord   56 

57,  58,  59,  60,  62,  87,  199,  245,  314,  336,  346,  348,  380,  384 

STOCKTON, 

Benjamin  ,   460 

James   395 

Joseph   521.  5.38,  544 

Richard   56,  57,  59,  61,  78,  303,  321 

STOKES. 

Joseph   52 

STOUT, 

Captain   202 

Cornelius   465 

John   170,  184 

Samuel   537 

Thomas   50,  170,  184 

STRETCH, 

Daniel   335 

STRYKER, 

Barent   42 

SURVEYOR  GENERAL- 

Books  and  records  ordered  removed  from  Perth  Amboy   349 

SUSSEX  COUNTY— 

Assessment   421 

Committee   168 

Sussex 


613 


Page. 

SUSSEX  COUNTY- 

Deputies   169,  184,  197,  325 

Resolutions   17,  162 

SUTTON, 

Henry   42 

SWAIN. 

Samuel   293 

SWAN, 

Jedediah   36 

SWKETWOOD, 

Captain   219 

SWINDLE, 

Thomas   478 

SYKES, 

Anthony   03,  117,  282 

SYMMES, 

John  Cleves   445,  569,  574 

SYMONDS, 

Kichard   333 

TALLMAN, 

Peter   51,  52,  157,  446,  515 

TAXES- 

Amount  proportioned  to  each  County   421 

Assessments  made   419 

TA\  LOR, 

Edward   1,  23,  25,  31,  63,  117,  169,  184,  197,  282,  325,  445,  478 

George   219,  374,  385,  479,  565,  569,  575 

Joseph  :   577  • 

John   23,  253,  329,  478,  541.  577 

TENBROOK, 

John    212 

William   356,  360 

TEN  EICK, 

Abraham   346,  477,  478 

Matthew   162 

Peter   345 

TERHUNE, 

Abraham   42,519 

Jacob   115,  116,  164,  394 

Nicausa   394 

THATCHER, 

Bartholomew   478,  487 

William   487,  527 

THOMAS, 

Edward   36,  344,  362,  383,  506,  565,  569 

THOMPSON, 

Charles   210,  281,  330,  388,  404,  448,  467 

David   104,  105,  158,  184 

Mark   19,  31,  184,  197,  325,  370,  499,  534,  565,  569 

THOMSON, 

John   103 

Thornell, 


614 


THORNELL, 

Benjamin   576 

TICE 

Jacob   499 

TINGIiEY, 

Ebenezer   162 

TONKIN, 

Samuel   569 

TOWNLEY, 

Richard,  Jun   36 

TOWN  MEETING- 

Newarit    112 

Upper  Freehold   Ill 

TREASURER- 

Eastern  Division   85,  390,  398,  443,  526 

Western  Division   79,  137,  138,  396,  443 

Western  Division  to  advance  pay  to  wives  of  certain  soldiers...  493 
Deposit  £25  Proclamation  Money  in  hands  of  Chairman  of  the 

County  Committees   404 

TREAT, 

Dr   363 

TRENTON— 

Provincial  Congress  met  at   169,  197 

TRUMBULL, 

Jonathan — Governor  of  Connecticut   475 

TUCKER, 

Samuel   1,  13,  14 

27,  31.  50,  63,  108,  117,  170,  173,  184,  194,  197,  198,  213,  216 
222,  235,  254,  282,  325,  354,  387,  390,  396,  443,  445,  446,  461,  483 

William   464,  508,  515 

TURNBULL, 

Captain   497,  504 

TUTIIILL, 

Samuel   13,  48,  236,  345 

TUTTLE, 

David   356 

TYRREL, 

Ephraim   36 

UNITED  COLONIES- 

In  Continental  Congress  assembled,  petitioned  to  order  removal 

of  Governour  Franklin  to  some  other  Colony   462 

UPDIKE, 

George   465,  478,  501 

UPPER  FREEHOLD- 

Town  meeting   Ill 

URIANCY, 

John   394 

VAN  ARSDALEN, 

Philip   541 

Van  Boskirk, 


G15 


Page. 

VAN  BOSKIRK, 

Abraham   115,  116,  1G9,  183,  198,  325,  375,  522 

John   115,  116.  445 

VAN  BRUNT, 

Hindiick   518 

Nicholas   169,  175 

VAN  CAMPEN, 

Isaac   445 

VANCE, 

William   42 

VAN  CORTLAND, 

Philip...   113,  149,  169,  183,  519,  551,  569 

VANDERBELT, 

Jen  nie   523 

VANDERVENTER, 

Jacob   519 

VAN  DICKE, 

Kuloff.   162,  197,  254,  325,  327 

VAN  DYCK, 

Isaac   42 

Jacob   42 

VAN  HORNE, 

Thomas   19 

VAN  HUYS, 

J  acobus   42 

VAN  MIDDLESWORTH, 

Hendrick   162 

VAN  MULINER, 

Cornelius   162,  197,  325 

VAN  NEST, 

Abraham   114,  169,  184 

VAN  NORDEN, 

Tobias   115 

VAN  ORDEN, 

Gabriel   115,  116 

VAN  HIPER, 

Abraham   110 

Jacob   110 

VAN  VOORST,  - 

Cornelius   10,  115,  116,  484 

VAN  WINKLE, 

Cornelius   110 

Francis   110 

Jacob   394 

Walling   394 

VAUGHT, 

Christopher   478,  487,  527 

John   465,  478,  487,  527 

VESSEL- 

Called  the  Polly  and  Anne  stranded  on  Squan  Beach   332 

Vessel — 


616 

] 

VESSEL- 

8upposed  to  be  a  tender  to  a  man-of-war,  taken  near  Barne- 


gat   205,  218 

VINECOMB, 

Francis   293 

VOLUNTEERS— 

Pay  per  day   106 

VOORHEES. 

Garret   162 

John   42 

John,  Jr   329 

Lucas   162 

Myndert   443 

VOTES  AND  PEOCEEDINGS- 

Provincial  Congress   169,  197 

Delegate  Meeting  of  Freeholders  of  Morris  County   104 


VREELAND, 

Jacob  

Michael.... 
VBOOM. 

Peter  

WADDELL, 

Henry  

WADE, 

Nehemiah. 

WAKE, 

Baldwin 
Drury  .. 

WALKER, 

Kichard. 

WARD, 


Mathias   357 

WAKDEL, 

Jacob   524 

Joseph   524 

Peter   524 

WASHINGTON, 

General — Commander-in-Chief  of  Continental  forces,  author- 
ized to  call  Militia  of  the  Colony  to  his  aid  when  necessity 
shall  require  ,   468 

WEAVER, 

Joseph   293 

WESSELS, 

Lncas   110 

WEST, 

George   293 

William    293 

WESTCOTT, 

John   393 

WETHERILL, 

Cat)tain   537 

John   1, 17,  42,  43,  63, 117,  169,  184,  282,  287,  325,  445,  529 

Wheeler, 


110,  169,  183 
343,  345,  397 

  487 

  506 


52 
513 

517 


617 


Page. 

WHEELER. 

James   38,  574 

Joseph   381 

WHITE. 

Anthony  Walton   354 

Josiah   293 

WHITLOCK, 

James   463 

WIGGINS, 

Thomas   576 

WIGTON, 

Samuel   507 

WIKOFF, 

Oake   518 

WILLIAMS, 

Edward   23 

Henrv   101 

Jonathan   36,  201,  203 

Renssellier   495,  574 

WILLIAMSON, 

Cornelius   503,  506 

David   42,  43,  169 

Matthias   36,  236 

William    42 

WILLS, 

Aaron   293 

WILSON, 

James   16,  17 

John   493,  577 

•V\aNANTS, 

William   506,519 

WINDS, 

William   13,  47 

48,  63,  104,  105,  106,  117,  169.  184,  197,  245,  282,  287,  325 

WINDSOR  TOWNSHIP- 

Committee  ot  Observation  and  Inspection   42 

WINTEHSTEEN, 

Fhilip   380 

WITHERSPOON, 

Eev.  Dr.  John   162,  445,  446,  473 

WOLVERTON, 

Thomas   232 

WOOD, 

John   52,  197,  325 

WOODBRIDGE  TOWNSHIP— 

Committee  of  Observation  and  Inspection   42,  45,  54,  107 

WOODHULL, 

William    445 

WOODRUFF, 

Isaac   36,  344,  459,  508 

Thomas   36 

Woodward, 

41 


618 

Page. 

WOODWARD, 

Anthony,  Jun   477,  509,  539 

George   509 

Thomas  Lewis   477,  486,  545 

WOOLSTON, 

Jabez   293 

WYNANTS, 

Isaac   36 

YAKD, 

Isaiah   464 

YOUNG, 

James   545 

ZABBISKIE, 

John   457 

John,  Jun   10 

Jost   115,  116,  164 

Peter   10,  31,  115, 164 


